SPEECH SOUND DEVELOPMENT NORMS

2-3 years

p, b, d, m, n, h, w

3-4 years

t, k, g, ng, f, y

4-5 years

v, s, z, sh, ch, j, l

5-6 years

th (voiced), zh, r

6-7 years th (voiceless)

Phonological processes are the patterns young children use to simplify speech.

It is normal for all children to use these patterns until around age 3. 

 A few examples of how a child may simplify speech

Cluster Reduction “top” for “stop”

Syllable Deletion  “nana” for “banana”

Fronting “tat” for “cat”

By about age 5, almost all phonological processes (patterns) should have disappeared.