Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Language Development and Communication (LDC)

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children use most grammatical constructions of their home language well.

Skill Progression: Use most grammatical constructions of home language well

Age: 48-54 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 48-54 Months.

Listen to the child’s conversation with adults or peers during play. Record or write down the conversation for later analysis.

No elicitation is normally needed. If needed sharing a storybook can provide a means for the adult to ask questions. “What’s she wearing?” “What does she have on her head?”

The child knows when to contract or not contract the auxiliary verb. For example, when asked, “Who’s coming with me?” the child responds “I am.” (uncontracted) or “I’m coming.” (contracted). The child contracts is verbs with a subject and verb. For example, “Matt’s helping Mom.”

Morphemes are learned through hearing them used and practicing their usage. Encourage early childhood educators and parents to model and correct usage (by repeating the incorrect phrase with the appropriate phrase).