A child’s acquisition of speech follows a relatively typical pattern of development. The basic units of speech are ‘speech sounds’ and these are typically acquired in a systematic, chronological manner by typically developing children.

Age ranges for speech sound development in typically developing children:

It is worth noting that although these stages of speech development are systematic, variation within each stage is common, and the acquisition of each designated speech sound may not necessarily be in the following order.

Age 3 – ‘m’, ‘p’, ‘b’, ‘w’, ‘h’, ‘n’, ‘ng’, ‘t’, ‘d’, ‘k’, ‘g’, ‘y’

Age 3.8 – ‘f’

Age 4 – ‘l’

Age 5 – ‘s’, ‘z’, ‘v’, ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘j’ in ‘jam’, ‘zh’ in ‘treasure’

Age 6 – ‘r’

Age 6.6-8.0 – ‘th’

Phonological processes in typically developing children:

Final Consonant Deletion: Ca for Cat (up to age 3.3)

Fronting: Bid for Big (to age 3.6)

Assimilation: Cac for Cat (to age 3.9)

Stopping: Tee for See (age 3 to 5)

Cluster Reductions: Leep for Sleep; Bed for Bread (to age 4.0)

Gliding: ‘w’ for ‘r’ or ‘l’, such as Wabbit for Rabbit, or Wion for Lion (to age 5)

Children with speech delay or disorder may either be delayed (slower than a typically developing child) in achieving these stages of speech development, or may be developing speech in an atypical, disordered manner. A speech and language therapist will be able to conduct a full assessment of the child’s speech sound acquisition and establish if a delay or disorder is present. Therapy will then be provided in a consistent and targeted manner, through play and interaction, to address the impairment.

The reasons why a child may develop a speech difficulty are numerous. Some children are born with global developmental delay or a developmental disorder that affects their acquisition of speech sounds. Others are affected by hearing loss (temporary or permanent), neurological disorders, physical impairment (e.g. cleft lip/palate) or brain injury. Some develop speech difficulties for no apparent reason.

If you think that your child may benefit from speech and language therapy or associated therapies, Integrated Treatment Services could be of help. Contact us here: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry

Sarah Bennington, July 2012

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Servicesis a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire, East Midlands and Southern England. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Psychotherapists.


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