What language development issue could indicate a preschooler is struggling?

Speech that is difficult to understand can indicate that a preschooler is experiencing challenges in language development. At this stage, children are expected to articulate their words clearly as they learn to form sentences and express their thoughts. If their speech is frequently difficult for adults or peers to comprehend, it could suggest underlying issues with articulation, phonological processing, or other speech-related difficulties. Clear speech is foundational for effective communication, social interaction, and subsequent literacy skills, so challenges in this area warrant attention.

On the other hand, while trouble reciting the alphabet and limited vocabulary can also indicate developmental delays, they are not as directly indicative of immediate communication barriers as unclear speech. Similarly, poor singing ability is less relevant to language development, as it does not directly affect a child's ability to communicate or understand language in daily interactions.