How should a teacher identify developmental differences in a child’s communication skills?

Identifying developmental differences in a child's communication skills is best achieved by observing their speech patterns over time. This approach allows the teacher to gauge the child's communication abilities in various contexts and developmental stages, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their progress. Continuous observation helps to identify any patterns in speech, such as frequency, clarity, complexity, and the use of language—words and phrases over time. This longitudinal perspective is vital, as it reveals not only immediate abilities but also how these abilities may change or develop as the child grows.

In contrast, comparing the child to their peers can be less effective, as children develop at different rates and might demonstrate unique strengths and challenges. Assessing a child's storytelling ability may provide insight but is not comprehensive enough to cover all facets of communication skills. Checking for early reading skills can be useful in evaluating literacy but does not specifically assess verbal communication skills, which are essential components of overall communication development.