SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

GIVING CHILDREN THE BEST POSSIBLE START IN LIFE

NHS EDUCATION FOR SCOTLAND

RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

The ability to understand language develops over time and children generally understand more words than they can say.

Children start by understanding single words and looking for clues from the situation.

They then develop their ability to understand two and three word phrases and simple instructions.

The understanding of some questions can be harder and takes time to develop.

1

YEAR

  • Understands simple naming words, e.g. body parts
  • Recognises and points to familiar objects
  • Understands early action words, e.g. cry, jump, want
  • Can follow short instructions eg brush dolly’s hair
  • Understands simple questions eg ‘where’s mummy’s car?’
  • Understands between 200 & 500 words

2

YEARS

3-4

YEARS

  • Understands longer instructions
  • Understands ‘who’ ‘where’ ‘what’ questions
  • Understands colour, number and time related words
  • Understands conversations
  • Understands ‘why’ questions
  • Understands more complicated language eg behind, above, first, last

4-5

YEARS

DOWNLOAD IN PDF FORMAT

NHS Education for Scotland

102 Westport

Edinburgh

EH3 9DN

www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

OTHER LINKS

  • NES website
  • The Portal

©  NHS Education for Scotland 2018. You can copy or reproduce the information in this document for use within NHSScotland and for non-commercial educational purposes.  Use of this document for commercial purposes is permitted only with the written permission of NES.