30-50 months

 

Communication and Language:

• Listening and attention: Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them. Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall.  Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in  rhymes and stories. Focusing attention – still listen or do, but can shift own attention.  Is able to follow directions (if not intently  focused on own choice of activity).
• Understanding: Understands use of objects (e.g. “What do we use to cut things?’) Shows understanding of prepositions such as ‘under’, ‘on top’, ‘behind’ by carrying out an action or selecting correct picture.  Responds to simple instructions, e.g. to get or put  away an object.  Beginning to understand ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions.
• Speaking: Beginning to use more complex sentences to link thoughts (e.g. using and, because). Can retell a simple past event in  correct order (e.g. went down slide, hurt finger). Uses talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next, recall and relive past experiences. Questions why things happen and gives explanations. Asks e.g. who, what, when, how.
• Uses a range of tenses (e.g. play, playing, will play, played). Uses intonation, rhythm and phrasing to make the meaning clear to others.
• Uses vocabulary focused on objects and people that are of particular importance to them. Builds up vocabulary that reflects the breadth of their experiences. Uses talk in pretending that objects stand for something else in play, e,g, ‘This box is my castle.’

 

40-60 months

 

Communication and Language:

• Listening and attention: Maintains attention, concentrates and sits quietly during appropriate activity. Two-channelled attention – can listen and do for short  span.
• Understanding: Responds to instructions involving a two-part sequence. Understands humour, e.g. nonsense rhymes, jokes. Able to  follow a story without pictures or props. Listens and responds to ideas expressed by others in conversation or discussion.
• Speaking: Extends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words. Uses language to  imagine and recreate roles and experiences in play situations. Links statements and sticks to a main theme or intention. Uses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events. Introduces a storyline or narrative into their play.