My child is starting school and still has Speech Sound Errors, should I be worried?
- Daniella Curtano
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Speech sound errors affect children socially
Did you know children as young as preschool-age start to view other children who speak well as being more popular than peers who they have difficulty understanding? Older children in grades 4-6 also judge peers with even one speech sound error as being less likeable and less likely to be successful going forwards. Children are unlikely to spontaneously fix their speech sound errors after 8 years of age.
While speech sound errors DO NOT predict intelligence, or kindness, or success, the fact that other children THINK they do, can result in a child with speech sound errors being treated as though they are less intelligent, successful or likable than they really are.
Effect on Reading and Spelling
Children with Speech Sound Errors that continue past 6 years are more likely to have difficulties with spelling than children whose errors were treated before 6 years of age. Speech Sound Errors without language difficulties do not tend to impact a child's reading skills, especially if Phonological Awareness /Pre-reading Skills are taught explicitly following therapy to target the Speech Sounds.
My child has Speech Errors, should my child get an assessment?
You should get an assessment for Speech Sound Errors if:
Your child is 3 years or older and you can't understand most/ a lot of what they say.
Your child is starting school and they have any Speech Sound Errors that don't look like they will fix themselves within the next few months.
You are worried about your child's speech for any reason.
Can I test my child's speech myself?
Of course you can! Mommy Speech Therapy has an easy to use Speech Sounds Screener that you can use to find out which sounds your child is having trouble saying. However, it is very common for parents who know and understand their child well to have trouble hearing the errors their child makes as the parent brain often fills in the missing sound with what they were expecting to hear instead of what the child actually said. If you're not sure if you're hearing the sounds correctly, ask a friend to listen or video record your child so you can watch it back. Sometimes all it takes to get your child to say a sound correctly, is a request to copy you while looking at each other in the mirror! Some sounds will be trickier to shift and that's when it's a good time to book in a session with a Speech Pathologist. Feel free to get in touch if we can help in any way.
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