Language, Communication, Reading, and Writing Developmental Chart

Ages Language Communicat Reading Writing Activity

ion Ideas
0-2 years Babbling, Non-verbal Enjoys being Scribbles Singing
cooing, first cues read to; randomly nursery
words, (pointing, recognizes using rhymes,
understandi gestures), pictures in crayons; reading
ng simple imitating books; starts to grip board books,
instructions sounds, points to writing playing with
(e.g., 'no' or responding objects tools. textured
'come here'). to tone of when toys,
voice. named. encouraging
pointing and
naming.
2-3 years Vocabulary Begins Enjoys Imitates Picture
grows to conversation repetitive lines and books,
200-300 al turn- stories; shapes; alphabet
words; taking, recognizes starts to puzzles,
starts follows two- familiar trace simple matching
forming step words in letters. games,
simple instructions, books; starts storytelling,
sentences enjoys social learning finger
(2-3 words); interaction. alphabet painting,
asks sounds. tracing
questions letters.
('What’s
that?').
3-5 years Expands Converses in Recognizes Writes their Storytime
vocabulary longer letters and name; with
to 1,000+ exchanges; simple copies interactive
words; uses asks many words; letters; questions,
complex questions; identifies draws alphabet
sentences; begins to rhyming shapes more songs,
starts narrate words; confidently. rhyming
understandi experiences. begins to games,
ng time (e.g., predict story tracing
'yesterday'). outcomes. letters/nam
es, pretend
play with
writing (e.g.,
menus,
signs).
5-7 years Uses more Listens Reads Writes short Reading
advanced actively in simple sentences; beginner
grammar; conversation books spells simple books,
understands s; independent words; word-
and uses understands ly; uses begins building
 humor; turn-taking context to experimenti games,
engages in in group guess ng with creative
detailed discussions; unknown creative writing
storytelling. uses polite words; writing. prompts,
expressions. starts role-play
reading activities,
aloud making a
fluently. word bank
or spelling
list.
7-11 years Expands Develops Reads Writes Book clubs,
vocabulary persuasive chapter structured writing
through communicat books; paragraphs; journals,
reading; ion; analyzes improves group
understands understands story spelling and debates,
figurative different elements punctuation; comprehensi
language perspectives (plot, learns to on quizzes,
(e.g., ; character, draft and creating
similes). participates setting); revise comic strips,
in group begins to written playing
discussions. enjoy work. word or
different grammar
genres. games.
11-16 years Uses Communicat Reads a Writes Analyzing
advanced es ideas variety of essays, literature,
grammar; clearly in texts reports, and essay-
understands formal and (novels, creative writing
abstract informal articles, pieces; uses workshops,
concepts; settings; essays); advanced creative
explores adjusts tone develops punctuation; story
persuasive for audience. critical refines competition
and thinking and writing s, research
argumentati analytical style. projects,
ve language. reading peer editing,
skills. persuasive
speech
practice.
16+ years Masters Engages in Reads Writes with Research-
complex debates; academic coherence based tasks,
language; adapts and and clarity; academic
uses communicat professional produces writing
nuanced and ion styles for texts; professional practice,
persuasive different evaluates and public
communicat contexts; sources academic speaking
ion; builds excels in critically; writing; competition
professional public develops experiments s, book
vocabulary. speaking. personal with reviews,
reading creative advanced
preferences. genres. literature
analysis,
writing
blogs or
journal
articles.