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Speech sound developmentDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember
You might find it useful to also look at the following related fact sheets on this website:
 Back to TopWhen do speech sounds develop?There is a wide range of what is considered normal for when a child can use different speech sounds. The ability to use different speech sounds normally develops in an order related to how hard the sounds are to make.
The chart below shows the range of ages at which most children are able to make consonant (non-vowel) sounds. The end of each bar indicates the age by which most children are able to make each sound.
You can view the chart as a pdf file which may be clearer:
 Back to TopWhat are some of the sound errors a child may make?Individual sound errors
The types of errors a child may make include:
Patterns of sound changes
As well as having difficulties with individual sounds, children often use patterns of 'shortcuts' to make words easier for them to say. There are many different types of these patterns - you may have heard the following in a young child's speech:
These three patterns usually stop by the time a child is three and a half years of age. Some patterns may last for longer, such as reducing sound clusters to one sound; for example, 'pug' for 'plug'.
Back to TopWhen is a child's speech usually understood?Sometimes a child may be able to produce a range of sounds within normal age limits, but overall it is still hard to understand them. The following is a guide to the approximate level of intelligibility expected (or the degree to which their speech can be understood) :
Back to TopCan problems with the muscles of the mouth sometimes lead to speech difficulties?The muscles used for speech (such as the lips and tongue) are the same as those required for sucking, eating and saliva control. Children with speech difficulties sometimes have problems with the strength, movement and / or co-ordination of these muscles.
Back to TopWhat are some ideas to help my child with speech sounds?
Back to TopSome fun activities to promote speech sound developmentAll the sounds that are used in English can be practised in play. The more these sounds are practised and refined, the clearer they will become in speech.
You might like to try some of the following activities with your child as part of other activities you're involved in together. Exaggerate both the sounds and your facial expression to give a clear model for your child to copy. Remember, you are making the sound, not saying the letter (so, for example, ‘mmm' not ‘em').
You can also view the following as a pdf file:
B
P
M
T
D
F
V
CH
SH
S
Z
G
K
Other sound sequences can be used to practice vowel sounds and help younger children to gain control over their lips and tongues:
Back to TopWhen should I seek help?It is important to remember that:
Look at how your child's speech compares to typical development, using:
If you are concerned about your child's speech development, you should discuss your concerns with the following:
Problems with speech and language development can sometimes be a sign of hearing difficulties. Glue ear can be one of the causes of hearing difficulties. See the following fact sheets on this website:
If your child is still having significant difficulties being understood by familiar adults:
you should request a referral for a speech assessment by a speech-language therapist.
A speech-language therapist will:
See Where to go for more information or help about speech development below, for information about finding a speech-language therapist.
Back to TopWhere to go for more information or help about speech developmentOn this website (related fact sheets)
An introductory fact sheet What's involved in learning to talk? Language development: 0 - three years of age Language development: four to five years of age Encouraging language development Using language socially - an important skill  Much more than words: Monitoring and encouraging communication development in early childhood. (Warning: large pdf file - 60 pages).Originally written for early childhood professionals, this booklet may be of interest to parents and caregivers who want more detailed information. The booklet was published by the Ministry of Education, Special Education in 2000.
Plunket
If you are concerned about your child's language or speech development, you could discuss your concerns with your Plunket nurse (or other Well Child provider - see the Well Child / Tamariki Ora services for under fives fact sheet on this website). For your local Plunket office or Plunket Karitane Family Centre, check the Plunket website1or look under Plunket in your phone book. Plunket also offers a specialist early childhood health telephone help service. It is available to all families, whanau and caregivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call PlunketLine free on 0800 933 922. Postal address: PO Box 5474, Wellington 6145
National office phone: 64 4 471 0177
National office fax: 64 4 471 0190
Email: plunket@plunket.org.nz
Website: http://www.plunket.org.nz/
Speech Language Therapists
Speech language therapists are employed in the Ministry of Education, special schools, hospitals, and in private practice. To find a speech language therapist, you can:
Australian websites
Speech Language Therapy Dot Com (Australia)
The website of Dr Caroline Bowen, a speech-language pathologist in Australia, provides the following article:
Speech Pathology Australia
The Speech Pathology Australia website provides a range of fact sheets, including:
Back to TopAcknowledgementsThis fact sheet has been produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Special Education and adapted from:
Ministry of Education, Special Education. 2000. Much more than words: Monitoring and encouraging communication development in early childhood.
Back to TopLinks (these are the web addresses for the numbered links in the text above) Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 27/06/2009
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010
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