36-42 Months: Preschooler Talk -- Observation Record

How does the preschooler show her understanding of stories, requests, and concepts?

Preschoolers use words and behavior to respond to words, stories, and conversations. They understand that language communicates ideas, past events, and where things are. They're also learning concepts like ownership, color, similarities and differences, and near-future events.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Understand instructions–follow two- or three-step directions, such as, "Please pick up your book from the floor and put it on the top shelf."
• Understand direction words–respond to directional words such as around, backward, forward.
• Begin mathematical thinking–show she understands the concept of two by picking out two cookies as she was told to do.
• Do what you say–follow the suggestion that she get a paper towel and wipe up the juice she spilled while carrying her glass from the kitchen to the table.

How does this preschooler show she understands language? (Include dates.)

How does the preschooler use language and conventions of speech to communicate?

Three-year-olds begin to use words such as please and thank you, and build sentences using rules of grammar. They express feelings and ideas, and ask and answer questions. Their sentences grow in length. They may still have trouble pronouncing words, but can usually be understood.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Use size words–include words like heaviest, biggest, and short in sentences.
• Talk about her feelings–explain that she didn't like school today because the teacher made her wait for a turn on the swing.
• Add more position words–speak of things being between or over other things.
• Retell stories–repeat actual words from written text as she presents a story using hand puppets or flannel-board cutouts.
• Ask "Why?"–use the word why in response to almost every answer you give.

How does this preschooler use words to communicate? (Include dates.)

How does the preschooler participate in conversations?

Three-year-olds are in love with language. Many could talk nonstop all day. They sing, chant, talk to their dolls, stuffed animals, and pets. Some have imaginary friends to talk to. They want to be a part of every conversation going on near them, and are very talkative with peers.

The preschooler might do one or more of the following:

• Keep it going–ask questions at snack time or at the lunch table to keep conversations going.
• Add a point–insert her own information into family discussions such as ". . . and then we . . ."
• Take a turn–take turns speaking when in a group discussion.
• Be polite–use social conventions such as saying good-bye when going home from school or when a classroom visitor leaves.
• Love to talk–talk to the dolls sitting at her tea party, asking questions, and answering them as she talks for both.

How does this preschooler participate in conversations? (Include dates.)