Children learn speech sounds at different times. The age when most children can say a sound is one thing that helps speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess a child’s speech.
Between 2 years and 3 years
Most children will learn to say these sounds:
- p, b, m
- d, n
- h
- w
- vowel sounds like
ah,
ee,
oh, and
oo
By the time a child is 2 years old, parents can usually understand their speech half of the time.
Between 3 years and 4 years
Most children will learn to say these sounds:
By the time a child is 3 years old, parents can usually understand their speech most of the time.
Between 4 years and 5 years
Most children will learn to say these sounds:
By the time a child is 4 years old, parents can usually understand their speech all of the time.
Between 5 years and 6 years
Most children will learn to say these sounds:
- r
- zh (as in "treasure")
- th (as in "the")
Siblings, friends, parents, and others can usually understand the child.
Between 6 years and 7 years
Most children will learn to say this sound:
How parents can help
Model sounds and words for your child. Say and repeat sounds clearly and correctly.
If your child cannot say the sounds expected for their age, contact a speech-language pathologist.
Where to get help
For more information about how speech-language pathologists can help, contact your:
- doctor, public health nurse, or other health provider
- local health centre
|
Age
|
Sounds
|
Example
|
|
2 to 3 years
|
p
b
m
d
n
h
w
|
pop
bee
mom
dad
no
hat
we
|
|
3 to 4 years
|
t
f
k
g
ng
y
|
top
foot
kite
go
sing
yes
|
|
4 to 5 years
|
s
z
l
sh
ch
j
v
|
so
zoo
like
she
chin
jump
van
|
|
5 to 6 years
|
r
zh
th
|
red
treasure
the
|
|
6 to 7 years
|
th
|
teeth
|
Table 1. Average age at which 75% of children in the United States use English consonants (Crowe & McLeod, 2020)
