Receptive Language IEP goals for preschool (ages 3 to 5)
22 of the receptive language templates in the library are written for preschool (ages 3 to 5). Each opens in the builder, where the grade band is a starting point and the baseline comes from your own assessment.
22 templates · 1 skill · Pre-K · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Receptive Language Speech & Language
Follow directions that contain basic concepts
Directions with basic concepts
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 oral directions of up to three steps containing basic concepts (such as under, behind, between, first, last, same, different) using familiar objects, the student will follow each direction by carrying out every step correctly and in the stated order independently with at least 80% accuracy on directions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Answer wh- questions about a passage read aloud
Answering wh- questions about a heard passage
By the annual IEP review date, after listening to a short passage or story read aloud at their listening comprehension level, the student will answer wh- questions about the passage aloud, in writing, or by pointing to a picture choice independently with at least 80% accuracy on questions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Sort items into categories and name the category
Categories
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sets of three or four pictures or words from familiar categories, the student will name the category that each set of items belongs to independently with at least 80% accuracy on categorization items, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Point to the named object or picture from a group
Identifying named objects and pictures
By the annual IEP review date, given a field of three familiar objects or pictures and asked "Show me the ___" for 10 items, the student will point to, touch, or hand over the named item independently with at least 85% accuracy on named items, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Point to the picture that shows the named action
Identifying actions
By the annual IEP review date, given a field of three action pictures and asked "Show me ___ing" for 10 verbs, the student will point to the picture that shows the named action independently with at least 85% accuracy on named actions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Find the object that is used for a stated purpose
Identifying objects by function
By the annual IEP review date, given a field of four objects or pictures and asked "Which one do you ___ with?" for 10 functions, the student will select the object that matches the stated function independently with at least 85% accuracy on function questions, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
Preschool receptive language goals are measured inside daily routines rather than with worksheets, and the criteria are small: a few opportunities a day, a handful of steps, short periods of time. Conditions name the routine (circle, centers, snack) so any adult in the room can take the data.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 17 goals here
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 4 goals here
- Latency trackerTimes the gap between a cue and the start of the response.Used by 1 goal here
Frequently asked questions
What do receptive language goals look like for preschool?
They describe a readiness or developmental skill performed during a classroom routine, with a criterion in opportunities or steps. The support level is written in, since most preschool goals start with prompting and fade it.
How often should preschool goals be measured?
A few opportunities on most days, recorded on a trial or task-analysis sheet. Short, frequent samples match how young children show skills.
Does a preschool IEP need the same parts as a school-age IEP?
Yes. Measurable annual goals, present levels, and progress reporting are required at every age under 34 CFR 300.320. Preschool IEPs may also address participation in appropriate activities rather than the general curriculum.
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