When Should My Child Be Saying Certain Speech Sounds?
One of the most common questions speech-language pathologists hear from parents is: “Is my child’s speech developing on track?” Knowing when different sounds typically develop can help caregivers better understand what’s age-appropriate and when it may be time to consider an evaluation.
What Speech Sounds Develop First?
Children learn speech sounds gradually. Some sounds emerge earlier (like p, b, m, w), while others take more motor coordination and typically come later (like r or th).
Age 2–3 years: p, b, m, n, t, d, k, g, “ng,” w, h, y, f
Age 4 years: l, j, ch, s, v, sh, z
Age 5 years: r, “zh,” voiced “th” (as in this)
Age 6 years: voiceless “th” (as in thumb)
What About Overall Understandability (Intelligibility)?
Speech development isn’t just about which sounds a child can make—it’s also about how much of their speech others can understand.
18–24 months: 25–60% intelligible
2–3 years: 60–75% intelligible
4–5 years: 75–90% intelligible
5+ years: 90–100% intelligible
By kindergarten age, most familiar and unfamiliar listeners should understand the majority of what a child says.
Common Speech Patterns (Phonological Processes)
As children learn to talk, they often simplify adult speech patterns. These are called phonological processes, and many are typical — as long as they fade out by a certain age.
Fronting: Back sounds replaced with front sounds (Example: car → tar) — typically resolves by age 4
Stopping: Long sounds replaced with short sounds (Example: fan → pan) — ages 3–5
Deaffrication: Affricates become fricatives (Example: chilli → silly) — typically resolves by age 4
Gliding: Liquids become glides (Example: red → wed) — ages 6–7
Final Consonant Deletion: Last sound dropped (Example: cat → ca) — typically resolves by age 3
Initial Consonant Deletion: First sound dropped (Example: bit → it) — ages 2–3
Weak Syllable Deletion: Weak syllable omitted (Example: banana → nana) — typically resolves by age 4
Cluster Reduction: Two sounds become one (Example: spoon → poon) — ages 4–5
How The Speech Cottage Co. Can Help
At The Speech Cottage Co., we provide child-led, play-based speech therapy that meets children where they are and supports their growth through meaningful connection and joyful learning. We partner with families to support speech sound development in a natural, engaging way — helping little voices become confident, clear, and understood.