5 Signs Your Preschooler May Benefit From Speech Therapy

Helping Flagstaff families support their child’s communication with confidence

As a parent, it’s natural to wonder if your preschooler is hitting their developmental milestones— especially when it comes to speech and language. Some children are chatty from an early age, while others seem to take their time. So how do you know if your child is just a “late bloomer,” or if they might benefit from support?

At Flagstaff Speech Solutions, we work with many children ages 3 to 5, and we often hear the same concerns:

• “Other people can’t understand them.”

• “They get frustrated when they can’t say what they want.”

• “They don’t talk as much as other kids their age.”

Early intervention can make a huge difference in helping your child express themselves clearly and confidently—before kindergarten even begins. Here are five common signs that your preschooler may benefit from speech therapy:

1. They’re Not Using Many Words

By age 3, most children use between 300 and 1,000 words and start putting 2–3 word phrases together (like “want snack” or “go outside”). By age 4, they’re usually speaking in full sentences and asking lots of questions.

If your child:

• Uses fewer than 50 words by age 2½

• Isn’t combining words by age 3

• Seems quiet compared to peers

…it may be time to have their language development evaluated.

Try This at Home: Narrate your daily routines out loud (e.g., “We’re pouring the milk into the cup”) and read books with repetitive, simple phrases.

2. It’s Hard to Understand What They’re Saying

You should be able to understand:

• About 75% of a 3-year-old’s speech

• Nearly 100% of a 4- to 5-year-old’s speech (even if they still make a few sound errors)

If you're constantly translating for your child or guessing what they're trying to say, they may have a speech sound disorder that makes it harder for others to understand them.

What We Can Help With: Sounds like /k/, /g/, /s/, /f/, and blends often develop during the preschool years—our speech therapy targets these in fun, engaging ways.

3. They Have Trouble Following Directions

Preschoolers are learning to understand more complex language. By age 4, they should be able to:

• Follow 2-step directions like “Pick up your shoes and put them in your room”

• Understand basic concepts like “in/on,” “big/little,” and “first/next”

If your child seems confused or doesn't respond to simple requests, they may need help building receptive language skills (the ability to understand language).

4. They Get Frustrated When Trying to Talk

Does your child get upset when trying to tell you something? Do they give up or avoid speaking altogether? This could be a sign of difficulty with:

• Expressive language (putting thoughts into words)

• Motor planning (especially in children with childhood apraxia of speech)

Speech therapy can help your child learn how to express their needs with confidence and reduce communication-related frustration.

5. They’re Not Using Sentences by Age 4–5

By the time they turn 4, most children are speaking in 4–6 word sentences. By age 5, they’re usually:

• Telling short stories about their day

• Answering “why” and “how” questions

• Using more complex sentence structures

If your child’s sentences are still very short, jumbled, or unclear, it might affect their ability to keep up in preschool or kindergarten.

What You Can Do

The earlier we address speech and language concerns, the easier it is to support your child’s growth. At Flagstaff Speech Solutions, we use play-based therapy that feels like fun, but is grounded in research. Therapy is individualized, goal-driven, and designed to support your preschooler’s development through activities they already love—think puzzles, puppets, building blocks, and books!

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re noticing any of these signs in your preschooler, we’re here to help.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today to talk with a licensed speech-language pathologist about your concerns.

You don’t have to wait and see—we’ll help you get answers and create a plan that helps your child thrive.