Responding to Speech Sound Errors

Speech sound errors are a normal part of development.

However, how you respond to them can make a difference!

1️⃣ Model, don’t correct.
Repeat the word back with the correct sound and gentle emphasis.
Child: “Tar!” → You: “Yes! A ssstar!”

2️⃣ Build sound awareness.
Talk about sounds, point to your mouth, use a mirror, and notice sounds in books and everyday moments.
“Look! A sssun. That’s the snake sound — ssss!”

3️⃣ Check in.
If your child isn’t on track to meet a speech sound milestone (check out an earlier post for this outline!), a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can assess the nature of the errors and share strategies to try at home.

✨ Early support for speech sound development can make a big difference in the long run!