Is My Child’s Speech NORMAL?

The majority of questions I get asked by friends and acquaintances are regarding their little one’s speech – meaning the actual SOUNDS they produce when speaking.  Most children have errors in their speech sounds when they are first beginning to talk, but as their skills and awareness develop, these errors usually dissipate.  The degree of errors can vary from child to child.  My son, Anthony, had very few errors and it was easy for other people to understand him.  Michael, on the other hand, requires a little more of a trained ear.  I can usually decipher what he is trying to say but at times it’s even hard for me.  Speech pathologists rate the understanding of what a child is saying and refer to it as speech intelligibility. 

If your little one does have errors or it’s hard for you or others to understand him/her, you are probably wondering if it’s normal.  Here’s a chart that shows what sounds your child should be saying at each age.  For example, if your 2 year old is saying, “I wuv you” instead of “I love you,” there’s no need to run out and get a speech evaluation.  If you refer to the chart, by age 4 children should be using the L sound appropriately. 

 AGE

Source: Sander, Eric K. "When Are Speech Sounds Learned?" JSHD, 37 (February 1972).

So before you start to worry, keep this chart handy and check in with it once in a while to see how your child is progressing compared to the norms.  If you’re really unsure and concerned or your child’s language is not meeting the normal criteria or your child is very frustrated because others can’t understand him/her, consult a speech language pathologist!

More on your child's speech and language development:

What I Have Against the Sippy Cup

10 Simple Ways to Encourage Language Development

Speech & Language Development Checklist: Birth - 3 Years Old
 

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Love & Language,

Marisa