Understanding Speech and Language Development: Milestones for 36-48 Month Old Children

By the age of 3 to 4 years, children typically have a vocabulary of about 1,000 to 1,600 words. They start using more complex and longer sentences, often consisting of 5 to 6 words or more. This age marks a rapid expansion in the types and variety of words they use, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and simple conjunctions.

Children in this age range become more curious and start asking a lot of 'who', 'what', 'where', 'why', and 'how' questions. They are not only interested in naming things but also in understanding how the world around them works. This indicates a deeper level of cognitive development and language comprehension.

At this stage, children begin to grasp basic grammatical rules. They start to correctly use past tense verbs and plural nouns more consistently. They also begin to understand and use pronouns like 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', and 'they' correctly.

While it’s normal for some speech sound errors to persist, children between 3 and 4 years of age should be understandable to strangers about 75% to 100% of the time. They start to speak more fluently, and their speech becomes clearer as they gain better control over their articulation skills.

Socially, children at this age are learning to use language for different purposes: to express needs, to inform, to ask, and to play imaginatively. They begin to engage in more complex play scenarios with peers, using language to negotiate, take turns, and role-play.

It's important to note that children develop at their own pace, and there is a range of normal development. However, if you have concerns about a child's speech and language development, it's advisable to consult with a speech-language pathologist for a professional evaluation.