Typical Speech Sound Development – What to Expect and When

Many parents ask: “When should my child use the ‘R’ sound? The ‘S’ sound? The ‘K’ sound?” 

There is a wide range of normal development for speech sounds, and as speech-language pathologists we examine sound acquisition (when does the child start using the sound in words), mastery (when does the child use the sound all of the time in words and connected speech), and overall speech intelligibility (how easily is the child understood by unfamiliar listeners).

While every child develops speech and language skills at his/her own pace, here are general guidelines for acquisition and mastery of speech sounds, and speech intelligibility.

Sounds acquired by around one-and-a-half years of age and mastered by around three years of age:

P, B, M, W, H, N

Sounds acquired by children around two years of age and mastered by around four years of age:

K, G, D, T, “...ing”

Sounds acquired by around two-and-a-half years of age and mastered by around four years of age:

F, Y

Sounds acquired by children around three years of age and mastered by around seven-eight years of age:

S, L, R

Sounds acquired by children at three-and-a-half years of age and mastered by around seven-eight years of age:

”Ch”, “Sh”, Z

Sounds acquired by around four years of age and mastered by around seven-eight years of age:

“Dg”, V

Sounds acquired by four-and-a-half years of age and mastered by around seven-eight years of age:

Voiceless “Th”

Speech Intelligibility:

At two years of age, a child should be understood by approximately 50% of unfamiliar listeners

At three years of age, a child should be understood by approximately 75% of unfamiliar listeners

At four years of age - 90% understood by unfamiliar listeners

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s speech and language development, please feel free to contact us at (703) 672-0170 or email jessica@milestonespeech.com.