Receptive & Expressive Language

What is the difference between receptive language and expressive language?

We use our receptive language skills to understand words and sentences and various concepts. We need strong receptive language skills to understand what other people are communicating.

Some signs a child may be struggling with receptive language skills are difficulty with:

  • identifying or pointing to a variety of nouns and verbs when named

  • understanding instructions or following directions

  • understanding yes/no questions

  • answering WH questions, such as, “Who is that?” and your child answers “Disneyland” because the picture is taken at Disneyland

  • following stories and conversations

Receptive Language

Expressive Language

We use our expressive language to share our wants, thoughts and ideas. We need strong expressive language skills to verbalize what we are thinking and to recall words we already know to formulate them into sentences.

Some indicators that your child may be struggling with expressive language skills are difficulty with:

  • using a variety of nouns and verbs when speaking

  • creating sentences that increase in length and complexity over time

  • formulating sentences in the correct order and with the correct grammatical elements

  • sharing a story with salient details and accurate sequencing

  • being able to alleviate a communication breakdown by explaining something in a different way

Language Milestones Age 2-5

For information prior to the age of 2, check out our Early Intervention page in the “Learn More” tab.

2 - 2.5 years —

Your toddler should start to talk about things or people that are not present visually and may begin to tease or lie. They should also start to engage in symbolic play.

Your toddler should start to understand “who,” “where,” and “what” questions. 

You can expect to hear more negation and words like “no,” “not,” “can’t,” and “don’t.”

Your toddler should start to use more grammar, like adding an “ing” or a plural “s.”

You can expect that your child should begin to continue the conversation you are having, about 50% of the time, and may begin to start to ask for clarification. 

2.5 - 3 years —

Your child should start to understand “why” questions 

Your child should begin to understand some spatial concepts like “in,” “out,” and “under.” 

3 - 3.5 years —

Your child will start to understand basic words for color. Your child should start to use irregular past tense. And use possessive sentences (e.g., dog’s bone). 

3.5 - 4 years —

You may notice that your child starts to be able to tell you more stories and begin to use predicting and reasoning skills, as well as expressing more empathy. 

Your child should understand and use “when” and “how” questions more often.    

Your child should begin to understand basic shapes and other basic concepts, e.g., big and small.

4 - 5 years —

Your child’s ability to tell stories should improve.

Knowledge of numbers, letters, and sounds emerges.

Your child should begin to use regular past tense verbs more accurately. 

You should be able to understand 100% of what your child says.