It's typical for toddlers and preschoolers not to be able to say all speech sounds correctly. It's a learning process. Maybe your child says "tar" for star or "nana" for banana. But how do you know if it's just a normal stage or something more?
In this episode, we're digging into the question: Should I be worried if my toddler says sounds "wrong"?
Here's what we're covering:
Why speech errors happen
How much of your toddler's speech you should be able to understand at different ages
The most common sound mistakes toddlers make and when they typically go away
Four simple, low pressure ways you can help your child at home
Sound-specific strategies for tricky ones like /s/ blends (think star or snake)
When to consider checking hearing or connecting with a speech-language pathologist
As pediatric speech therapists and moms, we want you to know: most of the time, these mistakes are a completely normal part of learning to talk. We hope this episode helps you you walk away with reassurance, a few simple ideas to try, and the confidence to trust your instincts if you feel something more is going on.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Free Toddler Communication Checklist – weetalkers.com/toddler
More free resources + programs at weetalkers.com