IEPs, 504s, School Speech

IEP Goal Examples: expanding two-word phrases for a 7-year-old

By the Little Words Editorial Team · Reviewed by the Little Words clinical team · Updated June 2026

An example SMART IEP goal for expanding two-word phrases, plus how it is measured. Adapt it to your child with your SLP.

Sample IEP goal: expanding two-word phrases

What it targets: combining words into longer messages.

Example goal: Given a familiar activity and adult support as needed, the student will produce a two-word phrase, such as 'more juice' or 'big truck', to communicate in 4 out of 5 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by clinician data, by the next annual review.

How it is measured: clinician or teacher data across sessions, comparing performance to the baseline.

Use these as starting language

IEP speech goals for 7 year old working on expanding two word phrases should be individualized by the school team. The examples below are parent-friendly starting points, not legal or clinical language to paste without review.

Sample goal shape

Given natural classroom routines and appropriate supports, the student will practice expanding two word phrases for a functional purpose such as requesting, commenting, answering, protesting, or repairing communication breakdowns across multiple opportunities.

Make the support level explicit

A good goal states whether the child uses speech, AAC, gestures, visual supports, modeling, choices, wait time, or adult prompts. Without the support level, progress is hard to interpret.

Questions for the team

Ask where the skill will be practiced, who will model it, how AAC access is protected, how progress will be measured, and how the goal connects to participation in the classroom.

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