As parents, it's natural to wonder if your child's speech development is on track. Knowing which speech sounds children typically master at different ages can help you identify whether your child might need additional support. Speech development follows a predictable pattern, with children learning to produce certain sounds at specific stages. Here’s a detailed guide to help you understand what speech sounds your child should be able to say as they grow, and how Talk and Teach Tool Kits can support their progress.

Speech Sound Development Milestones

By Age 2: At this stage, children should be able to produce most vowel sounds and the following consonants: /p/, /b/, /m/, /n/, /h/, and /w/. These are typically the earliest sounds children master because they require simpler mouth movements.

• Example Words: "Papa," "Baby," "Mama," "No," "Hi," "Wow."

By Age 3: By three years old, children usually add more consonants to their repertoire, including /d/, /t/, /k/, /g/, /f/, and /y/. These sounds involve more precise tongue and lip movements.

• Example Words: "Dog," "Toy," "Cat," "Go," "Fish," "Yes."

By Age 4: At four years old, children typically master sounds like /s/, /sh/, /ch/, /j/, and /l/. These sounds can be more challenging because they require more complex mouth and tongue movements.

• Example Words: "Sun," "Ship," "Chair," "Jump," "Lion."

By Age 5: By the time they reach five years old, children should be able to produce more complex sounds, including /r/, /v/, and /th/ (both voiced and voiceless).

• Example Words: "Rabbit," "Van," "This" (voiced), "Think" (voiceless).

By Age 6-7: By six to seven years old, children typically master consonant clusters like /s/ blends (e.g., "sk", "st") and /r/ blends (e.g., "br", "cr").

• Example Words: "Sky," "Star," "Bread," "Crown."

If your child is not meeting these milestones, it might be beneficial to consult a Speech Pathologist. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child's speech development, preventing potential challenges in communication, social interaction, and academics.

How Talk and Teach tool kits can help

Talk and Teach tool kits are designed by certified Speech Pathologists to support children’s speech and language development through engaging, evidence-based activities. 

Each tool kit includes activities specifically designed to practice the speech sounds appropriate for your child’s age. These activities are fun and interactive, making practice enjoyable for your child. Our tool kits also come with comprehensive guides that provide parents with the knowledge and tools needed to support their child’s speech development at home. These guides include tips on how to model sounds, encourage practice, and monitor progress. The activities in our tool kits can be easily integrated into daily routines, ensuring consistent practice without adding pressure.

Empower your child's speech journey today. Explore our range of tool kits and discover how they can enhance your child's speech development with fun and effective activities.

Don’t know which tool kits to start with? Check out our Whole Kit and Caboodle collection; we have stacked our most popular tool kits together to give you the broadest skill areas in one easy to purchase kit.