Those first-day-of-school photos are so cute, right? But behind the crisp new uniforms and oversized backpacks, something much bigger is going on. Your child is about to communicate with the world in ways they never have before.
The school-age years between about 5 and 12 are critical for speech and language development. This is when children usually move from simple sentences about their favourite toys to real conversations about friendship drama, homework complaints and wonderfully creative theories about why the sky is blue.
But here’s what many parents don’t know: speech milestones for school-aged children are important for more than just getting the words right.
They lay the foundation for communication your child will use for life, so it helps to know what to look for.
Why these years matter so much
Think of language at this age as your child’s communication getting its driver’s licence. They’ve been “driving” around the house and playground for years, but now they’re on the highway, with real speed and complexity.
At this age, they master the art of a good chat.
They also learn to read between the lines, grasp sarcasm (well, part of the time) and acquire the vocabulary they need to articulate increasingly complex ideas. Pretty amazing when you think about it.
At CommuniKids Speech Therapy in Perth, we see many school-age children. Our speech pathologists are always struck by how much communication skills can grow in these years when children get the right support.
Ages 5 to 6: the foundation years
Five- and six-year-olds soak up new words like sponges, learning around 5 to 10 new words almost every day. That’s thousands of new words a year!
What you should be seeing:
- Speech that strangers can understand most of the time
- Sentences of 5 to 6 words that are mostly grammatically correct
- Simple stories with a beginning, middle and end
- Time words such as “yesterday”, “tomorrow” and “next week”
- Understanding and remembering 2- to 3-step instructions without needing them repeated
Your child should be able to talk comfortably with their teacher, make friends on the playground and even explain what happened during the day (even if some of the details are a little creative). If you’re often asking “What did you say?”, or the school raises concerns about communication, it could be time for a speech pathology review.
Red flags at this age
Speech that's difficult for unfamiliar adults to understand. Persistent difficulty with common sounds like "r", "l", “s”, or "th". Trouble following simple classroom instructions when other children can manage them easily.
Reluctance to speak in social situations or limited vocabulary compared to peers. Teachers expressing concerns about participation or challenges with early literacy skills that impact communication.
Ages 7 to 8: the conversation masters
Children really start to show off their conversational skills between the ages of seven and eight. They’re developing social communication skills: knowing the social rules, taking turns in conversation and adjusting how they speak to different people.
By now, most children can say most speech sounds, even the tricky ones that stumped them earlier. They’re also building stronger literacy skills, which feed into their language development.
Typical milestones include:
- Using compound and complex sentences
- Understanding humour, jokes, riddles and simple wordplay
- Adjusting their language for different audiences (more polite when speaking to teachers, relaxed with friends)
- Following and remembering multi-step instructions
- Reading early chapter books and talking about the story
At CommuniKids, children in this age group often come to us for extra help with literacy, using the Sounds-Write phonics program. This is where you really see the links between reading, writing and spoken language.
Ages 9 to 10: logic and reasoning
Nine- and ten-year-olds are reasoning in more complex ways. They can engage in debates, understand cause-and-effect relationships, and express opinions with supporting evidence.
Key developments
- Using abstract language and metaphor
- Understanding and using humour, such as puns and jokes with double meanings
- Taking part in complex problem-solving conversations
- Strong storytelling and narrative skills
- Working out implied meanings and figures of speech
At this stage, your child should take part in class discussions, work well in group projects and communicate well in different social situations. They are also building the vocabulary skills they’ll use for the rest of their schooling.
Potential concerns
Difficulty understanding abstract concepts or figurative language. Challenges with social communication in group settings. Persistent issues with complex sentence structures. Problems with reading comprehension that affect spoken language.
Ages 11 to 12: pre-teen communicators
Children between the ages of eleven and twelve are beginning to communicate like adults. They understand complex grammar, can engage in sophisticated discussions, and are beginning to develop their own communication style and voice.
Advanced milestones
- Using sophisticated vocabulary appropriate to different subjects and contexts
- Understanding and using sarcasm, irony, and subtle humour
- Engaging in abstract discussions about topics like fairness, friendship, and future goals
- Demonstrating strong presentation and public speaking skills
- Reading and discussing complex texts with multiple themes
This is also when social communication becomes incredibly important. Pre-teens need to navigate complex friendship dynamics, understand social hierarchies, and communicate appropriately in various social contexts.
When to seek support
Sometimes, parents have concerns that they’re being “helicopter parents” when they seek help for communication issues. Let’s put that worry aside: if you are concerned about your child’s speech and language, go with your gut.
Speech and language difficulties in school-age children affect much more than talking. They can affect schoolwork, friendships and how children feel about themselves.
Research from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders shows that developmental language disorder (DLD) can delay children’s language for years and affect how their language skills develop through school.
The good news is that therapy during the school years can be very effective.
Consider an assessment if your child
- Struggles to be understood by teachers or peers
- Has difficulty following classroom instructions
- Shows reluctance to participate in group discussions or presentations
- Demonstrates ongoing challenges with reading or writing
- Has been diagnosed with conditions like autism, ADHD, or learning difficulties
- Shows signs of social communication challenges
If you're wondering how to access speech therapy services, our team can guide you through the process and help you understand your options.
At CommuniKids, our comprehensive assessments examine speech sounds, language structure and understanding, vocabulary development, and social communication skills.
We work closely with families and schools to create therapy plans that actually make a difference in children's daily lives. Learn more about developing a plan for speech therapy that works for your family.
School-age support at CommuniKids
Our two Perth clinics, in Jolimont and Victoria Park, help school-age children develop their communication skills. No two children are the same, so our speech pathologists create therapy plans tailored to your child’s needs and strengths.
Our services include:
- Individual speech pathology assessments
- Articulation therapy for speech sound disorders
- Language structure and comprehension support for schoolwork
- Vocabulary building and support to take part in class
- Communication skills for home and school
- Evidence-based literacy programs, such as Sounds-Write phonics
- Social skills support for interacting with peers
- Support for dyslexia, in reading and spoken language
We also offer telehealth so busy families can access therapy on the go. We are a registered NDIS provider and can support families with funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Supporting your child at home
Professional therapy is fantastic, but there's so much parents can do at home to support their child's communication development. If you're curious about what speech therapy involves and how it can help your child, our blog has more about the process.
Daily strategies that work
- Have real conversations during car rides, dinner, or bedtime
- Ask open-ended questions that require more than yes/no answers
- Read together regularly and discuss the story, characters, and your child's predictions
- Play word games, riddles, and storytelling games
- Model good communication by listening actively and responding thoughtfully
- Encourage your child to explain their thinking and reasoning
- Practise presentation skills by having them teach you about their interests
Remember, the goal isn't to constantly correct your child's speech. Instead, focus on celebrating their communication attempts and providing rich language experiences.
Building lifelong communication skills
The communication skills your child builds during the school years will shape their future. Children who communicate well are more likely to have strong relationships, do well at school and feel confident in social situations.
If you are worried about your child’s speech or language, don’t wait to get help. Support during the school years can stop small difficulties from becoming bigger problems.
At CommuniKids Speech Therapy, we pride ourselves on supporting children to find their voice in a fun and engaging environment.
Our speech pathologists understand the particular challenges school-age children face, and are ready to help children and families through this important stage.
Take the next step
Do you have any worries about your child’s speech and language? The most accurate way to find out is an assessment with a speech pathologist.
The CommuniKids team is here to help. We can talk through your concerns, explain how our assessments work and answer any questions about supporting your child’s communication.
Don’t let doubt hold your child back. Get in touch with CommuniKids Speech Therapy to find out how we can help you and your school-aged child.
Because every child deserves to feel heard, understood and confident in their ability to communicate with the world around them. Your child’s voice matters. Let’s help them find it and use it with confidence.
How we can help: Speech →