Speech impairments are classified by the inability to produce single sounds (articulation disorder) or a class of sounds (phonological disorder) appropriately. As children develop and acquire sounds, it is natural for to hear some errors. Most children will drop errors as they grow and develop more mature speech patterns. The following list indicates when sounds should be acquired.
Early 8 Sounds
Emerging Development between ages 1-3 with consistent production~age 3
/m/ as in “mama”
/b/ as in “baby”
“y” as in “you”
/n/ as in “no”
/w/ as in “we”
/d/ as in “daddy”
/p/ as in “pop”
/h/ as in “hi”
Middle 8 Sounds
Emerging Development between ages 3-6 ½ with consistent production~age 5 ½
/t/ as in “two”
“ng” as in “running”
/k/ as in “cup”
/g/ as in “go”
/f/ as in “fish”
/v/ as in “van”
“ch” as in “chew”
“j” as in “jump”
Late 8 Sounds
Emerging Development between ages 5 -7 ½ with consistent production~age 7 ½
“sh” as in “sheep”
/s/ as in “see”
“th” as in “think”
“th” as in “that”
/r/ as in “red”
/z/ as in “zoo”
/l/ as in “like”
“zh” as in “measure”
**Helpful Tips**
~MODEL, MODEL, MODEL appropriate production
~Refrain from correcting child in front of others
Early 8 Sounds
Emerging Development between ages 1-3 with consistent production~age 3
/m/ as in “mama”
/b/ as in “baby”
“y” as in “you”
/n/ as in “no”
/w/ as in “we”
/d/ as in “daddy”
/p/ as in “pop”
/h/ as in “hi”
Middle 8 Sounds
Emerging Development between ages 3-6 ½ with consistent production~age 5 ½
/t/ as in “two”
“ng” as in “running”
/k/ as in “cup”
/g/ as in “go”
/f/ as in “fish”
/v/ as in “van”
“ch” as in “chew”
“j” as in “jump”
Late 8 Sounds
Emerging Development between ages 5 -7 ½ with consistent production~age 7 ½
“sh” as in “sheep”
/s/ as in “see”
“th” as in “think”
“th” as in “that”
/r/ as in “red”
/z/ as in “zoo”
/l/ as in “like”
“zh” as in “measure”
**Helpful Tips**
~MODEL, MODEL, MODEL appropriate production
~Refrain from correcting child in front of others