Starting kindergarten is an exciting time filled with new friends, new routines, and lots of learning. As your child embarks on this new chapter, their speech and language skills play a big role in their success—both academically and socially. But how do you know if your child’s communication skills are on track for kindergarten? At All Care Therapies, we’re here to help you understand what to expect and when to seek support.
Every child develops at their own pace, but by the time your child starts kindergarten, they should generally be able to:
Your child should be using sentences that are 5–7 words long, often with correct grammar. You should notice them telling simple stories, asking and answering questions, and expressing their needs clearly.
By age 5-6, most people—even those unfamiliar with your child—should understand what they say. While small mispronunciations may still happen (like saying "wabbit" for "rabbit"), their speech should be mostly clear.
Kindergarteners typically have a vocabulary of thousands of words. They should be able to describe people, places, and things, and use basic concepts like colors, shapes, and sizes.
Your child should be able to listen to and carry out simple instructions with two or more steps, like “Put your backpack in your cubby and sit on the rug.”
They should easily understand basic who, what, where, when, and why questions, and be able to answer them appropriately.
Want the full Essential Kindergarten Readiness Checklist? Check out our free guide for parents.
Starting school brings new opportunities for your child to practice their speech and language skills. Here are simple ways you can support their communication development at home, with school success in mind:
Use your morning routine to build language skills. Ask questions like, “What do you think you’ll do at school today?” or “What story do you want to tell your teacher?”
Reading together boosts vocabulary and comprehension. Choose stories about school to introduce new words and help your child talk about their own experiences.
Pretend play can build confidence. Practice common classroom phrases like, “Can I please use the bathroom?” or “Can you help me?” This helps your child feel prepared to communicate with teachers and peers.
Arrange playdates or fun activities where your child can practice introducing themselves, asking questions, and taking turns in conversation—important skills for making friends at school.
After school, ask open-ended questions like, “What was your favorite part of today?” or “Tell me something funny that happened.” This encourages storytelling and helps your child express themselves clearly.
Looking for more expert-approved ways to help your child get ready for school? Explore our Pediatric Therapist-Recommended Activities to Improve Kindergarten Readiness.
If your child is struggling with speech clarity, vocabulary, sentence structure, or understanding directions, they may benefit from a speech-language evaluation. Early support can make a big difference—especially as language skills are key to reading, making friends, and participating in class.
At All Care Therapies, our licensed speech therapists provide personalized, bilingual services that fit your family’s life—whether in-person or through convenient teletherapy.
If you have concerns about your child’s speech development, don’t wait. We’re here to help your child build confidence and communication skills that set them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Contact All Care Therapies today to schedule a free consultation.