• Uses complete sentences (5-6 words) that are grammatically correct
• Uses pronouns: he/she, him/her, they/them, I
• Communicates wants and needs to adults and peers
• Tells simple jokes
• Completes 3-step directions (e.g. “Get your flashlight, turn it off, and give it to mommy.”)
• Understands and defines words like; soft/hard, long/short, top/bottom
• Understands various concepts (e.g. big/little, long/short, up/down, in/out, front/back, over/under, top/bottom, between, hot/cold, empty/full, more/less, fast/slow
• Recognizes familiar signs (e.g., stop signs)
• Lists/describes objects by what they do (e.g., all things you cut with), lists/describes objects by features (e.g. all things with wheels)
• Pays attention and stays on task for a 10-15 minute activity
• Talks about things in the past; uses past, present and future verb tenses
• Can be understood by strangers most of the time but may still have errors with ‘r’ and ‘th’ sounds
• Answers reasoning questions such as; “What do you do when you are cold?”
• Looks at pictures, tells a story by naming and describing
• Describes recent events and stories in the correct order or sequence