Speech sounds are the individual sounds we use to make words.
The sounds we make when we speak are made from the:
- voice box (larynx)
- mouth muscles
- jaw
- lips
- teeth
- tongue
In English, we have 46 sounds for 26 letters of the alphabet.
Ages and stages
Below, you can find the appropriate ages at which 90% of children can normally produce speech sounds.
3 years
- All common vowels (a e i o u ee oh oo)
- p b t d m n w
4 years
- k g f h y (as in “yet”) ng (as in “sing”)
5 years
- s z v l
6 years
- sh ch j Blends with “s” (as in stairs, sweetie)
7 years
- r th as in “thin” and “then” Blends with “r” and “l” (as in black, pram, flower)
Ways to help your child
There are steps you can take to help your child produce speech sounds.
Get your child’s attention
Always make sure you have your child’s attention before you speak to them.
Don’t make them repeat the word
Don’t make your child say the word again. Instead, you should repeat individual words they are having difficulty with, letting them hear the correct model. Don’t emphasise or repeat the particular sound they are having difficulty with – for example, it’s a “cup” rather than it’s a “c c cup”.
Take it slow
Slow down what you say to your child so they have time to understand it.
No pressure
Avoid putting pressure on your child, or blaming them. Don’t tell them they’ve got it wrong. Tell your child “oh dear, my ears aren’t working today, can you say that again”.
Help them to recognise mistakes
Help your child to recognise their mistakes by saying things like, “Are you sure you need a tap….did you mean your cap?”
Repeat tricky words
Repeat the words they have difficulty with often so they can hear exactly how it should sound. For example, “Let’s go to the car. Mummy’s opening the car.”
Tell them when you don’t understand
Tell your child when you don’t understand what they have said. For example “A hoo? Do you mean a shoe?”
Praise them
Give your child lots of praise if they correct the mistake themselves.
How speech sounds develop
Speech sounds develop normally at the end of words first, then in the middle and then at the beginning. Combinations of consonants develop last. So if your child can say “s” in “dress”, and “castle” but not in sun or spider, don’t worry about this.
Remember your child doesn’t know their speech is unclear. Sometimes they need to get frustrated to help them realise they need to change their speech pattern. This is a very common problem and the majority of children will learn to say all their sounds without the need for any specific help.
Resources
Here are some videos to help parents and carers learn about speech sounds and how they can help their child.
Speech sound for parents and carers – part 1:
Speech sound for parent and carers – part 2: