how many words should a 3 year old say?

Question

How many words and sentences should my daughter who just turned 3 in june be saying?
does anyone know where I can get a checklist on how she should be developing?

i know she should be speaking alot but does anyone know where if there is evn any checklist that highlights development

Answer 1

Check with your local health department or WIC office. They have information about what children and babies should be doing at different ages.
Or you could check with her pediatrician.

A three year old should be able to talk freely. Ask questions and carry on a conversation. But there are swings in what is normal for anything. If you are concerned, have her evaluated.

Good luck.
Here is some info I found....

Language development with children has two major strands: vocabulary concepts and language structure or usage. Understanding the meaning of words heard, and later read, is a key predictor of reading success. Children learn vocabulary through multiple, meaningful experiences which allow them to associate the word with its meaning. To build language structure or usage, teachers observe, listen and respond to children while engaging them in extended interactions and conversations. Providing experiences for children to talk to each other about is a critical component of language development.
Why is Language Development Important?

Vocabulary at the age of three is a predictor of vocabulary by age 9.
Success in reading is tied to language knowledge.
Two year olds begin the year with a vocabulary of approximately 200 words and end with approximately 1000 words or more.
Three year olds use expanded noun phrases, some verb endings and can answer simple questions.
Children need to be learning 20-25 new words per week.
Children who are at risk may have heard one-half to one third as many words as children in more affluent homes.


Using open-ended questions during dramatic play encourages children to use more language than questions which require one or two word responses. Open-ended questions require children to think critically, express their ideas and feelings and use their imaginations. Some examples of open-ended questions are:

Tell me about this.
What else can you tell me?
What could you do with this?
What could this be used for?
What did you notice about this that is different from that?
How are these things the same?
Why do you think that?
What might happen if …?
How could we do that differently?
How does that make you feel?
When you did that what did you do first? Next? Last?
Why did that happen?

Answer 2

It depends on the child. I have 4 kids. Two didn't talk until after their 3rd birthday. One could still only say 1 word at 3 years and 2 months.

I have a 3 year old right now and she talks complete sentences. She can ask for whatever she wants, says her alphabet and can count, sings some of the songs that the 5 year old picked up at school.
They will talk when they are ready. There really is no set # but at 3 they should be able to express themselves.
If they aren't talking at all, I would at least ask the Dr. about it. Although it is probably nothing to worry about. The 2 of mine that didn't (or wouldn't talk) developed normally with everything and are perfectly fine now (8 & 5 years old)

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

This is a very good question. Actually it varies. Some kids know tons of words and are able to speak in sentences. Although for some they just don't talk at all or are unsure of what to say. My nephew refused to say too much until he was almost 4 and when he did start he knew everything. My friends son had a hard time as well. He was talking but not very clearly and it was hard to understand him. He needed to go to speech therapy but after only 6 months he improved tremendously. Don't be too worried and try not to push her too much. Just talk to her like an adult and ask her tons of questions aside from things she might want. Like say isn't that beautiful and what do you think about this? Things that may help stimulate her mind. Its hard to think your kid is under developing but just remember Einstein didn't talk till he was about 5 or so. Good luck.

Answer 4

There is a book called "What to Expect the Toddler Years." It has a checklist at the beginning of each chapter on what a child should be able to do.

Answer 5

They should know pretty much every word by now (at least the names of common things) but as far as sentences go they should be speaking in sentences but they may not always be proper english or have alot of words to them.

Answer 6

It really varies my son at three could speak very well on the other hand my daughter could only say things she wanted such as drink food bite hungry no yes bed bath mom dad car bye bye things like that i took her to the dr he said not to worry about it she would catch up to herself and boy did she ever by four she wouldn't shut up lol still won't 8 years later

Answer 7

Sentences and lots of different words.My son is 3 1/2 he was saying full sentences at 3. Give her time.RELAX!!!Everyone develops differently. She will pick up more worlds read to her alot...She will catch on...:-)

Answer 8

Ever since my daughter was a newborn baby I would talk to her like I'm talking to a regular adult. When My daughter was two and she was sleepy she would tell me,clear as day "Mom, I want to go to bed" If u talk to ur child on a regular basis they will learn how to speak clearly and say lots and lots of words.

Answer 9

My 3-year-old just had her 3-year-old checkup this week, and the pediatrician said that a normal 3-year-old should have a vocabulary of about 1000 words, and should speak understandably most of the time.

www.babycenter.com has a general list of developmental milestones, and it does include verbal milestones, but it isn't speech specific.

Answer 10

No but I know she should be saying little sentences and alot of words