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    Articulation

     

    The ability to produce sounds correctly develops at different ages.  Between the ages of 1½ to 3 years most children can correctly say the sounds p, m, h, n, w. By age 4 most children should also correctly say the sounds b, k, g, d, y. By age 5, f, ng, t are added to the list of sounds said correctly. Sounds such as r, l, s, z, ch, sh, j, v, th, may be difficult for thechild to produce correctly until he/she is 6 or 7 years old.  This is the normal progression for developing the ability to produce consonant sounds.  When your child says a sound incorrectly you should repeat the word using the correct sound but do not force the child to say a sound he is not ready to produce.

    To increase sound awareness and to enhance development of sounds that are within your child's age range the following activities may be done at home: 

      • Blowing bubbles with soapy water strengthens muscles used in speech.  Plastic bubble pipes are available in many stores.
      •  Go through magazines and catalogues and have your child cut out pictures of things that begin with a particular sound.  The shape of the letter that matches the sound being worked on can also be cut out of a large piece of construction paper and the pictures glued on.  Hang the letter in your child's room or on the refrigerator.
      • Make your own game board by cutting out pictures of things that begin with a particular sound and gluing them in a winding trail on alarge piece of paper.  Decorate the board with stickers or stamps. Use dice and game pieces or buttons as markers.
      • Make matching cards by gluing two identical pictures cut from magazines or catalogues onto rectangular pieces of construction paper.  Use them to play a memory matching game by mixing them and placing them face down on the table.  Take turns trying to find the matches and say the word emphasizing the sound each time you turn a card over.  Or use the cards to play a game of go fish.
      • When reading your child's favorite story book to him/her, pick out all the pictures of things that have one particular sound.
      • Go on a sound walk looking for all the things you can see that begin with a particular sound or look for a sound or look for a sound while driving in the car.