"My 6-year-old tells amazing stories, but sometimes says 'goed' instead of 'went.' When should I be concerned about grammar mistakes?"
As a speech-language pathologist, I see many parents wondering about their child's grammar development once they move beyond simple sentences. The journey from "Me want cookie" to sophisticated academic language is fascinating—and longer than many parents realize!
Let's explore how children's expressive language and grammar develop from preschool through high school.
The Preschool Years (Ages 4-5): Building Grammar Foundations
Age 4:
Your 4-year-old is becoming a real chatterbox! They're speaking in sentences of 4-6 words and mastering basic grammar rules.
Expect to hear:
- Complete sentences most of the time
- Past tense attempts (including adorable mistakes like "goed" and "runned")
- Questions using "why," "what," and "when"
- Simple conjunctions: "I want juice and crackers"
- Beginning complex sentences: "I'm sad because my toy broke"
Age 5:
Five-year-olds are refining their grammar and preparing for school language demands.
Expect to hear:
- Sentences of 5-7 words on average
- Most irregular verbs used correctly (went, came, saw)
- Comparative language: "This is bigger than that"
- More complex sentences with multiple ideas
- Stories with clear beginning, middle, and end
Elementary Years (Ages 6-11): Mastering Complex Grammar
Ages 6-7:
Children are learning to use language as a tool for learning and explaining.
Expect to hear:
- Complex sentence structures with multiple clauses
- Passive voice: "The ball was thrown by Sarah"
- Sophisticated conjunctions: "although," "unless," "meanwhile"
- Conditional statements: "If it rains, we'll stay inside"
- Detailed explanations of how things work
Ages 8-9:
Grammar becomes a vehicle for abstract thinking and sophisticated communication.
Expect to hear:
- Embedded clauses in sentences
- Figurative language in their own speech
- Advanced verb tenses used correctly
- Persuasive language and argumentation
- Complex narratives with detailed descriptions
Ages 10-11:
Pre-teens are developing the grammar skills needed for academic success.
Expect to hear:
- Sophisticated vocabulary in their speech
- Complex analogies and comparisons
- Language used for critical thinking and analysis
- Subject-specific terminology when discussing school topics
- Flexible language use across different situations
Middle School (Ages 12-14): Academic Language Emerges
Middle schoolers face new challenges as they learn to express increasingly complex ideas.
Expect to hear:
- Academic language and subject-specific vocabulary in conversation
- Complex sentence structures used consistently
- Persuasive speaking and argumentation skills
- Code-switching between formal and casual language
- Self-advocacy and explaining their own needs
High School (Ages 15-18): Mature Expression
High schoolers are developing adult-level expressive language skills.
Expect to hear:
- Academic communication skills
- Abstract reasoning expressed clearly
- Leadership and collaborative communication
- Personal voice and style in their expression
When Should You Be Concerned? Red Flags by School Level
Preschool (Ages 4-5):
- Very short sentences for age (3 words or less consistently)
- Frequent, persistent grammar errors that don't improve
- Difficulty forming complete sentences
- Limited vocabulary in their speech
- Cannot tell simple stories about their day
Elementary (Ages 6-11):
- Significant difficulty with complex sentences
- Persistent grammar errors affecting communication
- Very limited vocabulary compared to peers
- Cannot organize thoughts when speaking
- Struggles to explain ideas clearly
- Difficulty with word retrieval (frequent use of "thing," "stuff")
Middle School (Ages 12-14):
- Cannot express complex ideas clearly
- Significant gaps in academic vocabulary usage
- Difficulty organizing thoughts when speaking
- Problems with written expression that affect grades
- Cannot adjust language for different audiences
- Struggles with self-advocacy
High School (Ages 15-18):
- Cannot express abstract ideas verbally
- Significant difficulty with academic presentations
- Problems organizing thoughts for complex assignments
- Struggles with grade-level communication
- Cannot engage in sophisticated discussions
- Difficulty expressing personal opinions and reasoning
Why Grammar Development Matters
Strong grammar and expressive language skills are crucial for:
- Academic success - explaining ideas, writing papers, participating in discussions
- Social relationships - expressing feelings, resolving conflicts, building friendships
- Future career prospects - job interviews, workplace communication, leadership roles
- Self-advocacy - expressing needs, asking for help, standing up for themselves
How Speech-Language Pathologists Help
When working with school-age children, we focus on:
- Grammar and Syntax: Teaching complex sentence structures and advanced grammar rules
- Vocabulary Development: Expanding expressive vocabulary, especially academic language
- Narrative Skills: Helping children organize and express their thoughts clearly
- Academic Language: Teaching the specific language skills needed for school success
- Social Communication: Helping children express themselves appropriately in different situations
The Bottom Line
Grammar development is a marathon, not a sprint. Children continue developing sophisticated expressive language skills well into their teenage years. However, if your child is significantly behind their peers in grammar usage or has persistent patterns of errors, speech therapy can make a huge difference.
Language skills are the foundation for academic success, social relationships, and future opportunities. Don't hesitate to seek professional guidance if you have concerns.
At Talk Soon Speech Therapy LLC, we specialize in helping children develop the sophisticated grammar and language skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. We create individualized treatment plans that target your child's specific needs while making therapy engaging and effective.
Contact Talk Soon Speech Therapy LLC today to discuss your child's language development or to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Strong expressive language skills open doors to success—and we're here to help your child develop those skills.
Remember: This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional evaluation. If you have concerns about your child's language development, please consult with a qualified speech-language pathologist.
Located in Southern Costa Rica, TalkSoon provides comprehensive speech-language pathology services for children and families in the Southern Zone. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your child's communication journey.