Talking at Three: What’s Typical for 3-Year-Olds?
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By age 3, kids become little chatterboxes. Their vocabulary is booming, and their ability to express thoughts, ask questions, and hold simple conversations really takes off.
Key Milestones:
Three-year-olds often use 200–1,000 words, speak in 3–4 word sentences, and can be understood by most familiar listeners. They ask lots of “why” and “what” questions and can tell short stories about their day.
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Understanding also improves—they can follow two- or three-step directions, identify colors, and grasp concepts like “under,” “next to,” or “behind.” They’re becoming more social and using language to play and interact.
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When to Get Help:
If your child is hard to understand, uses very few words, or doesn’t show interest in talking or social interaction, a speech-language evaluation can help provide clarity and support.
