RESOURCE PACKET Assessment of Language Impairment

AGE LANGUAGE SYMBOLIC PLAY CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY
36 to 42 months
42 to 47 months
• Uses syntax (word order)
• Understands sentences based on
morphological and syntactical rules (uses
word order strategy for agent-action-recipient
relations)
• Uses direct requests (may I, could you)
• MLU = 3.75
• Uses past tense
• Uses future aspect (gonna)
• Uses modals (can, may, might, would, could)
• Gives dialogue to puppets and
dolls
• Pretends without an object for
a prop (uses imaginary
objects)
• Pretend themes involve
events that child has observed
but not experienced; acts out
sequences with miniature
dolls (in house, garage,
airport)
• Group play begins
• Joins other children in play
• Engages in sociodramatic
play in which child takes role
of someone else and
elaborates on the theme in
cooperation with other players
• Plans out pretend situations in
advance, organizing who and
what are needed for role
playing
• Events in play are sequenced
into a scenario that tells a
story; links schemes into
complex script with beginning,
middle, and end (fix dinner,
serve it, wash dishes, go to
bed)
• Can make dolls carry out
several activities or roles
• Creates imaginary characters
• Can direct actions of two
dolls, making them interact
• Constructive play predominates
from 36 months
• Uses blocks and sand box for
imaginative play
• Can build vertical block structure
that requires balance and
coordination (9 blocks)
• Produces 3-dimensional enclosed
structure (builds fort with blocks
end to end to form enclosure)
• Produces figure with some detail
included (draws arms and legs
without body, makes animal figure
using hot dog and pancake
shapes)
ED –4072 / Rev. 07.09 Language Impairment Resource Packet
Department of Education