KidsHealth NZ
Published on KidsHealth NZ (https://www.kidshealth.org.nz)

Home > Communication Development: By 4 Years

Communication Development: By 4 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 4. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 4 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

By 4 years, what should my child be able to say and do?

  • understand more complex language structures; for example, 'why.... because'
  • ask lots of 'what', 'where' and 'why' questions to find out new information
  • be taking part in longer and more complicated make-believe play sequences with peers; for example, buying a ticket, going on the bus, getting off at the right stop and then getting back on
  • enjoy simple jokes – even though their jokes may not make sense!
  • recognise their own written name
  • know some letter names
  • recognise some printed words in the environment; for example, a stop sign
  • be attempting to write their name
  • be starting to use talking to make friends and to solve problems
  • be able to talk about what they have done and what they might do; for example, they can tell Nana about their trip to the park, then talk about what they want for dinner
  • be understood by unfamiliar adults almost all of the time

What are some tips to help my child's communication development at 4 years?

  • when your child says something that is not clear, say it back for them so they hear it the right way rather than asking them to repeat it
  • have fun with words and sounds; for example, make up games about words that start with the same sound, make up silly words that rhyme
  • talk with your child about exciting things that are going to happen, to encourage talking about the future
  • let your child choose books to share with you
  • encourage your child to join in drawing and writing activities with you; for example, writing shopping lists, making special cards
References: 

If you would like to look at anything in more detail, this listing of references [1] might be a good starting point.

Acknowledgements: 

The content on this page has been produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and adapted from Much more than words | Manuka takoto, kawea ake (2014) (PDF, 565KB) [2]

External links and downloads (see the online version for more information at other websites)

Who should I talk to if I am concerned about my child's communication?
 [3]

Talk to someone else who knows your child well; for example, your child’s teacher, doctor or a close family/whānau member. If you are still concerned, call the Ministry of Education at 0800 622 222 or check the Ministry of Education website for your local Ministry of Education office [4].

Information on communication development (Ministry of Education) [5]

Thumbnail image of cover of 'Much more than words' booklet [6]This booklet is for supporting the communication development of young children. Family/whānau, early childhood educators, kaiako, health professionals and others may find it useful. It includes information about typical communication development in young children and ideas for supporting them. The booklet was published by the Ministry of Education in 2014. 

This page last reviewed 17 November 2020.
Email us [7] your feedback


KidsHealth is a joint initiative between
The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
and Starship Foundation

Supported by the Ministry of Health

Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 for health advice and information in NZ

  • About
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy

Back to top


Source URL: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/communication-development-4-years?language=ko

Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/communication-development-references
[2] http://seonline.tki.org.nz/content/download/758/3925/file/MOEMuchMoreThanWordsV2.pdf
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1898?language=ko
[4] https://www.education.govt.nz/our-work/contact-us/regional-ministry-contacts/
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1584?language=ko
[6] https://seonline.tki.org.nz/content/download/758/3925/file/MOEMuchMoreThanWordsV2.pdf
[7] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F1897%3Flanguage%3Dko