This page contains information to help you support children with unclear speech.
At what age do children use different speech sounds?
Information taken from Elklan, "Let’s talk With Under 5’s" (Elklan, 2007) and PACS developmental assessment (Pamela Grunwell, 1985).
Age 1.5 to 2 years
Sounds your child is likely to be using: m, n, p, b, t, d.
Other things which are still difficult: Your child is still likely to miss the sounds off the ends of words. By 2.5 years your child’s speech should be understood by close family.
When to refer to speech therapy: By 2 if your child is not saying any sounds.
Age: 2.5 to 3 years
Sounds your child is likely to be using: m, n, p, b, t, d, f, s, w, y, h.
Other things which are still difficult: Your child will still find it difficult to say long sounds like "f" and "s", so may say "bish" for fish or "dun" for sun. Your child will still find it difficult to say "k" and "g", so may say e.g. "tar" for car. By 3 years your child’s speech should be understood by familiar adults outside of home, but it will not be perfect.
When to refer to speech therapy: By 3 if your child is not saying m, n, p, b, t, d.
Age 3 to 4 years
Sounds your child is likely to be using: m, n, p, b, t, d, k, g, f, s, v, maybe sh, w, y, h.
Other things which are still difficult: "k" and "g" will be developing. Words with two consonant sounds together will be difficult, so your child may say e.g. "bue" for blue and "bider" for spider. By 4 years your child’s speech should be understood most of the time.
When to refer to speech therapy: by 4 if your child is not saying f, s, k, g.
Age 4 to 5 years
Sounds your child is likely to be using: m, n, p, b, t, d, k, g, f, s, v, sh, z, ch, j, w, y, h, l, maybe some consonant blends, e.g. sp, st, pl.
Other things which are still difficult: Most sounds are more clear, though some consonant blends will still be difficult. Your child will be learning to say, "ch" and "j".
When to refer to speech therapy: by 5 if your child is not saying sh, ch, j, v, l.
5 years +
Sounds your child is likely to be using: m, n, p, b, t, d, k, g, f, s, v, sh, z, ch, j, w, y, h, l, r, th and consonant blends.
Other things which are still difficult: sounds like "l", "r" and "th", may still be difficult for your child. Often children do not develop these sounds until they are at least 6 years old. Some adults still find these sounds difficult. It is unlikely that a speech therapist would work on these sounds.
When to refer to speech therapy: from 5 years if your child has unusual articulation e.g. a lisp. By 6 if your child is not saying "th", or s blends, e.g. sp, st. By 7 if your child is not saying "r".
Top Tips to help children with unclear speech
- Encourage speech but don’t put pressure on your child. Try to avoid telling them to say things e.g. ‘Say ‘cat’ say ‘juice’ and so on.
- Encourage your child to make choices e.g. ‘do you want milk or juice?’ This will give you the context so you will have a better understanding of what your child is trying to say.
- Get face to face with your child so you can see and listen to what your child is saying
- Don’t ‘correct’ your child’s speech by saying ‘no...it’s not a tar it’s a car’. Instead, just model the correct response, ‘yes it’s a car’.
- Try not to ask your child to say the words again, ask them instead to point to it, mime/sign it draw or write it if they are able to.
- Develop your child’s confidence and self-esteem by praising any speech attempts
- Try to wean your baby/toddler off their dummy as soon as you can
- Have some quiet time with your child every day - turn electronics off e.g. TV, Radio or IPads. It’s ok to let your child watch TV, Video or DVD for short periods of time but please remember interaction with people is the key to your child’s development.