Speaking and Communicating - Language and Literacy: Ages 3-5

Widely Held Expectations

• Child communicates needs, wants or thoughts through words, gestures, actions, or expressions
  
  • Uses sentences that include two or more separate ideas
  • Initiates interactions with adults and peers
• Child communicates for a variety of purposes
  
  • Attempts to solve problems with other children independently by communicating with them
  • Greets adults and peers
• Child uses English or native language to share feelings and express ideas
• Child uses new vocabulary that has been introduced

Learning in Action: Examples

The Child

• Speaks clearly enough, or uses alternative communication methods, to be understood by others
• Asks questions to acquire more information
• Uses “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me,” although often needs reminders
• Uses language for a variety of purposes (role playing, rhyming, using props, describing feelings, telling jokes, conversing, etc.)

The Adult

• Uses alternate modes of communication when needed (sign language, gestures, etc.)
• Builds on children’s interests to introduce new vocabulary and ideas
• Asks open-ended questions throughout the day (questions that require more than a one-word answer)
• Provides opportunities for children to engage in turn taking and dialogue in conversation

The Environment Includes

• A variety of activity centers that encourage children to interact and communicate with adults and peers
• Props, books, materials and manipulatives for telling and retelling events and stories, etc.