🗣️ Understanding Developmental Speech Sounds

Children learn to say different sounds at different ages. Some sounds develop early, while others take more time. Not all speech sound errors mean a child needs therapy—some are part of typical development!

📊 When Do Speech Sounds Develop?

✅ Early Sounds (typically by age 3–4):

• p, b, m, w, h, n

• These are usually among the first sounds children learn.

• Examples: “mama,” “ball,” “no”

✏️ Middle Sounds (typically by age 4–5):

• t, d, k, g, f, y

• These may take a little longer to develop.

• Examples: “dog,” “car,” “fireman”

⏳ Later Sounds (typically by age 6–7):

s, z, r, l, sh, ch, th

• These are more complex and often the last to fully develop.

• Examples: “shoe,” “rabbit,” “lego”

💡 What Should Parents Know?

• It’s normal for young children to make sound errors.

• If your child is hard to understand or still making errors past the expected age, it might be time to check in with a speech-language pathologist.

• Early support can help your child speak clearly and confidently!

What Is Articulation and Why Is It Important?

Articulation is how we use our lips, tongue, teeth, and voice to make speech sounds. When a child has trouble with articulation, it means some of their sounds may be unclear or incorrect, making it harder for others to understand them.

For example, a child might say "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or "tootie" instead of "cookie."

Why is articulation important?
Clear speech helps children:

• Be understood by others

• Express their thoughts confidently

• Participate more easily in conversations, and social situations

The good news is that with regular practice—both in therapy and at home—many children can improve their speech clarity over time.