Understanding Speech Errors in Children Within Normal Limits
Children learn to speak by copying sounds and words they hear around them. As they grow, their speech usually gets better on its own. However, many kids make speech errors while learning to talk. These errors are often normal and not something to worry about. Let’s look at how children can have speech errors but still be within the normal limits for speech development.
Common Speech Errors
Mispronunciations: It’s normal for young children to say words incorrectly. For example, they might say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “pasghetti” instead of “spaghetti.” These mispronunciations usually get better with time and practice.
Substitutions: Kids might replace one sound with another. A common substitution is saying “w” for “l,” like “wuv” for “love.” Another example is saying “d” for “th,” like “dat” for “that.”
Omissions: Some children leave out certain sounds, especially in longer words. They might say “nana” instead of “banana” or “getti” instead of “spaghetti.”
Distortions: Sometimes, children make sounds that are close to the correct sound but not quite right. For example, a child might lisp the “s” sound, making it sound more like “th.”
Age-Appropriate Speech Errors
Toddlers (1-2 Years): At this age, it’s normal for kids to make many speech errors. They are just starting to learn words and sounds. Mispronunciations and omissions are very common. For instance, a toddler might say “ba” for “ball” or “ta” for “cat.”
Preschoolers (3-4 Years): Preschoolers often speak more clearly but still make errors. They might substitute sounds or mispronounce words. Saying “fwog” for “frog” or “baff” for “bath” is typical. By this age, most children can be understood by people they know well, but they may still have some speech errors.
Kindergarteners (5 Years): By kindergarten, children’s speech is usually much clearer. They might still have trouble with complex sounds like “r,” “s,” “l,” and “th.” For example, saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “fum” instead of “thumb” is still within normal limits.
Why Speech Errors Happen
Learning Process: Learning to speak involves mastering many sounds and rules. Kids often experiment with sounds and make errors as part of this learning process.
Developmental Milestones: Each child reaches speech milestones at their own pace. Some may develop speech skills earlier, while others might take a bit longer.
Practice and Exposure: The more children practice speaking and hear correct speech, the faster they improve. Regular conversations, reading, and singing help children refine their speech.
When to Seek Help
Age and Clarity: By age 4, most children’s speech should be clear enough for strangers to understand them most of the time. If a child’s speech is very difficult to understand by this age, it might be time to seek help from a speech therapist.
Frustration: If a child gets frustrated because they can’t be understood, or if they avoid talking, it’s important to address this. Speech therapy can help them communicate more effectively and boost their confidence.
Persistent Errors: If a child continues to make the same speech errors beyond the typical age range, a speech therapist can provide support. For example, if a child still says “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” at age 7, they might need some help. A lisp is another reason to see us.
Encouraging Speech Development at Home
Model Clear Speech: Speak clearly and slowly to your child. Model the correct pronunciation of words without constantly correcting them. Instead of saying, “No, it’s not ‘wabbit,’ it’s ‘rabbit,'” simply use the word correctly in a sentence, like, “Yes, that’s a rabbit.”
Reading Together: Read books together every day. Choose books with repetitive phrases and fun sounds. Encourage your child to repeat after you and engage with the story.
Sing Songs: Singing songs and nursery rhymes helps children practice different sounds and rhythms. It makes learning fun and engaging.
Play Sound Games: Play games that focus on sounds, like “I Spy” with sounds. For example, “I spy with my little eye something that starts with ‘b’.” This helps children think about and practice different sounds.
Encourage Conversation: Encourage your child to talk about their day, tell stories, or describe things they see. The more they practice speaking, the better they get.
Be Patient and Positive: Be patient and positive about your child’s speech. Celebrate their efforts and progress, no matter how small.
Conclusion
Speech errors are a normal part of language development in children. While it’s common for children to mispronounce words, substitute sounds, or omit certain sounds, these errors usually improve with time and practice. By modelling clear speech, engaging in regular reading and singing, and providing a supportive environment, parents can help their children develop strong speech skills. If speech errors persist beyond the typical age range or cause significant frustration, seeking help from a speech therapist can provide additional support. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, and with encouragement and practice, they can achieve clear and effective communication skills.
Meet Samuel
Samuel’s Mum called our clinic very worried about her son’s speech. He was 3 years old at the time, and she said it was very hard to understand him. Samuel had a speech assessment with our Speech Pathologist, who talked to Mum and completed a standard speech test. It turned out that Samuel had many speech errors, but they were all normal for his age. This means that the speech errors were not a concern and could improve on their own. It’s important to understand that Speech Pathologists do not ‘fast track’ speech development. We do not work on a speech sound before most children say it correctly.
Samuel was checked every 3 months, and his Speech Pathologist gave Mum tips for clear speech at home. Samuel eventually developed clear speech within 18 months, which was normal for his age, so he never needed Speech Pathology sessions. He just needed to be monitored by a Speech Pathologist.
Samuel’s younger brother, Alexander, came for an assessment at the age of 4 years. He also had many speech errors, but his speech errors were ones that he should have fixed by that age. Unlike his brother, Alexander needed Speech Pathology. He did 12 months of Speech Pathology and now has clear speech!
We’re here to support you
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Our clinics are not just a space for therapy – they’re a place where children can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential.
By combining innovative therapy techniques with a stimulating and supportive environment, we’re proud to offer a holistic approach to paediatric therapy and early intervention that addresses the unique needs of each child we support. We use multiple approached to ensure a chid makes progress across all environments.
Reach out for support
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development or want to learn more about how Speech Pathology can help your child, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here to help.
Call us on (02) 80657837 or email. You can book a free 30 minute phone call with us to discuss how we can support your child’s unique journey
