Why Your Child’s Speech Sounds Are Still Developing—And When to Be Concerned
As a parent, it’s natural to wonder: Is this just part of normal development—or something we should address with speech therapy?
Understanding speech sound development and when to seek help
It can be both adorable and concerning when a child says “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “pane” instead of “plane.” As a parent, it’s natural to wonder: Is this just part of normal development—or something we should address with speech therapy?
The truth is that speech sound development is a gradual process—and some mispronunciations are completely age-appropriate.
But how do you know when it’s time to seek support?
Let’s break it down.
✅ What’s Typical? A Look at Speech Sound Norms
Children learn to produce different sounds at different ages. Some sounds are typically mastered earlier (like /p/, /b/, and /m/), while others develop later (like /r/, /s/, and "th").
Here’s a general guide based on research by Sander (1972) and later updates from McLeod & Crowe (2018), who compiled developmental norms from over 30 cross-linguistic studies:
Sound Most Children Master By Age
/p/, /m/, /h/, /n/, /w/, /b/ 3 years
/k/, /g/, /d/, /t/, /ng/ 4 years
/f/, /v/, /y/ 4–5 years
/s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, /j/ 5–6 years
/l/ 6 years
/r/, "th" (voiced and voiceless) 6–7+ years
👉 Source: McLeod, S., & Crowe, K. (2018). Children’s Consonant Acquisition in 27 Languages: A Cross-Linguistic Review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.
🕵️♀️ When Should You Be Concerned?
Here are some signs that may suggest your child could benefit from a speech-language evaluation:
Unfamiliar people have difficulty understanding your child past the age of 3–4.
Sound errors persist beyond expected ages (e.g., a 6-year-old still replacing “r” with “w”).
Your child omits sounds in words (says “ca” for “cat”) after age 3.
Your child shows frustration when speaking or avoids certain words.
Speech is noticeably different from peers of the same age.
💡 A helpful rule of thumb from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA):
By age 2, your child should be understood about 50% of the time.
By age 3, around 75%.
By age 4, close to 100%.
👩⚕️ What Happens in Speech Therapy?
If speech therapy is recommended, your child will work with a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) who uses play-based, evidence-informed techniques to help them:
Hear and discriminate the correct sound
Practice the sound in isolation, then in syllables, words, and sentences
Use the sound accurately in conversation
At our practice, we also work closely with families to ensure progress continues at home. Parents are key partners in the process!
🧠 Remember: Every Child Develops at Their Own Pace
Some children simply need a little extra support to fine-tune their speech sounds. Early identification and intervention can make a big difference—especially as kids begin school and peer interactions become more complex.
If you’re unsure whether your child’s speech is on track, we’re happy to help. A quick screening or evaluation can offer peace of mind—and if needed, get your child started on a path toward clearer, more confident communication.
📞 Want to learn more or schedule a consultation?
Reach out to us at The Speech & Language Center in West Chester, PA. Our experienced SLPs are here to support your child’s unique journey.