How speech sounds develop: The early 8
Some sounds are harder to say than others, so we don't tend to hear children say them until they're older. Knowing WHEN sounds typically develop will ensure that you're not expecting too much of your little one. Children are developing their speech sounds from the moment they start babbling, and it's still totally normal for children to learning some of the trickier sounds up to ages 6 or 7. This series will help you understand the order sounds typically develop.
The EARLY 8 typically develop between the ages of 1 and 3. We'd expect a 3 year old to be using these sounds correctly consistentlyΒ at the start, middle and end of words.
π B as in "bee"
π D as in "dog"
π· P as in "pig"
ππΌββοΈ M as in "me"
π©βπ©βπ§βπ§ W as in "we"
π N as in "no"
πββοΈ H as in "hello"
π Y as in "yes"
So - if a word has one of these sounds in it we'd typically expect a 3 year old to have mastered that sound, but they still might struggle with any trickier sounds in the word. E.g. 'Bus' might be "buth" or "buh" because the /s/ sound is hard.
HOW TO HELP YOUR LITTLE ONE:
π€£ Be silly with sounds. Babble these sounds with your little one surfing play. Could you bounce a ball and make a "b b b" sound? Could you make a "weeeoo weeeoo" sound for a siren?
π When your little one attempts a word and it doesn't sound right, say it back clearly and positively with ZERO expectation that they repeat what you've said. Don't say "say____" and don't make it sound like you're correcting them. E.g. Child "at" adult "hat! H h hat - you're right".
π©ββ€οΈβπβπ© Be face to face with each other or look in the mirror. Many of these sounds are very visual and easy to see. E.g. Your lips come together when you say /B/, /P/, and /M/ sounds, which is easier to see than your tongue flicking up to say /s/ for example.
You could play a silly game making 'monster' noises and copying each other.
SING THE ALPHABET
My alphabet song resource on my website is a great tool for learning to sing and say sounds together in a fun, low pressure way.
Did you know about the early 8? Is your toddler using these?
