{"id":23789,"date":"2024-02-21T11:22:36","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T19:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/?p=23789"},"modified":"2024-02-21T11:43:15","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T19:43:15","slug":"the-journey-of-articulation-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/the-journey-of-articulation-development\/","title":{"rendered":"The Journey of Articulation Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"We all love the levity that comes from children mispronouncing common words or names, but when should parents be concerned about how their child is using speech sounds?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This article aims to clarify the typical trajectory of speech-sound development in children and guide parents on when it might be appropriate to seek additional support. We will delve into the concepts of intelligibility, speech sound development, and other factors that play a crucial role in understanding how children navigate the intricate world of phonological awareness.<\/p>\n

The Journey of Articulation Development <\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding the journey of speech sound development is crucial for parents who want to ensure their child’s communication skills are on the right track. Let’s explore the key milestones in this journey:<\/p>\n

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  1. Early Babbling: <\/strong>During the first few months of life, babies engage in cooing and babbling. These early vocalizations set the foundation for speech development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Emergence of First Words: <\/strong>Around 12 months of age, most children utter their first recognizable words. We consider the first word to be any string of sounds that a child uses consistently to refer to a specific item or action. While these may not be perfectly articulated, they indicate a significant step in speech development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. Expanding Vocabulary: <\/strong>Between 18 and 24 months, toddlers start building a more extensive vocabulary. At this stage, it’s common for speech sounds to be imprecise, and some words may still be difficult to understand.\"\"<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. Refinement of Articulation: <\/strong>Around the age of 3, we can start to look at specific speech sounds and use what we know about typical development to determine if a child has an articulation delay. While some mispronunciations are part of typical development, persistent issues with specific speech sounds might raise concerns. You can use the speech sound development chart at the right to see the sounds your child should develop with each age of development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Looking at the Big Picture: Assessing Intelligibility<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Intelligibility refers to how well a listener can understand a speaker’s message. By the age of 5, we expect children to be fully intelligible, even to unfamiliar listeners. If you are asking your 4\u20135-year-old to repeat themselves frequently, consider an evaluation for articulation. We can set children up for academic and social success by making sure their peers and teachers can understand them and giving them strategies for repairing communication breakdowns.<\/p>\n

          \"\"Literacy Implications: How Sounds Work Together<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Phonological awareness involves recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken language and can be one of the first signs of emerging literacy skills. Phonological awareness is directly related to how a child is using speech sounds. If your child is not sure what sounds belong in words, we wouldn\u2019t expect them to use those sounds accurately in their speech. \u00a0You can support your child\u2019s phonological awareness and preliteracy skills by creating a language-rich environment through reading books, engaging in conversations, and exposing children to diverse language experiences.<\/p>\n

          Activities to Support Articulation Development <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n