Communication Tips
For 4 Years Old

• Talk about what you and the child are doing/interested in
• Say clearly words and sentences the child has difficulty saying (child - "Him doing outside", adult - "Yes, he is - he is going outside.")
• Let the child make-up and tell stories using puppets you and your child make from socks or paper bags to act them out
• Read to your child and ask them questions about the story o Play simple board/card games helping them to match and name colours/shapes, count, and follow directions (Snakes & Ladders, Go Fish)
• Add information for the child; "That's a daffodil & a tulip. They grow in Spring."
• Give the child opportunities regularly to play with children his own age

• Involve the child in planning daily activities; talk about things you need for a birthday party, for a weekend trip or going to the beach
• While brushing teeth, practice making faces in the mirror (Pucker your lips like a fish, wag your tongue back and forth, touch different teeth with your tongue)

• Follows three-step instructions ("Get your boots, put them on and go outside")
• Understands and remembers details about a story
• Can anticipate and tell you "What do you think will happen next?"

• Tells stories using words, including details in a logical sequence
• Understands and remembers details about a story told to them
• Can answer questions like "What do you think will happen next?"
• Says sentences of four or more words in length; ("I'm hungry dad", "I jumped really high!", "I want to go home")
• Can clearly make these sounds in words; k,g,f,s,z,sh

• Beginning to play with more challenging toys (building blocks, construction games, puzzles, computer games)
• Enjoys more play time with other children
• Pretend play is well developed

• If a child has a rough, raspy voice lasting longer than one month, ask your doctor for a referral to an ear/nose and throat doctor to check the child's vocal cords.
• If other people have a hard time understanding what your child says.