Speech Sound Production can also be referred to as articulation.  A child's speech sounds develop as he/she grows.  A baby makes early vocalizations around 2 or 3 months, babbles around 6 months and uses jargon from about 18 months to 30 months.  The majority of sounds a 3 year old makes should sound normal.  Although he/she make not use all sounds correctly, he/she should be intelligible to strangers.

Summary of Speech Sound Development

AGE        Consonants

3          m, n, ng, p, f, h, w                         3 1/2    y (as in yes)
4          k, b, d, g, r                                    4 1/2    s, sh (as in shoe), ch (as in chair)     
6          t, v, l, th (as in thin)                        7          z, zh (in measure), th (in father), j (in jump)

You as a parent may help you child talk clearer by...........

Being a good speech model for your child.  Don't use baby talk.  

Pronouncing words clearly, slowly, and correctly for your child to hear and imitate.  

Trying to look at your child when you both are talking.  

Letting the child watch your face, lips and tongue as you form sounds and words prolonging the speech sound the child has difficulty saying, such as "where is your sssssock?"  

Repeating new words and sounds over and over.  Use them often in your conversation.  

Making a scrapbook with your child.  Cut out and paste pictures of objects the child learns to say or recognize.  

Praising the child when sounds are correct, especially if the sounds were previously difficult for the child. 

This page maintained by Celia Thompson.  Last updated on 09/08/2006 .