Speech sounds by age

Children learn speech sounds in a fairly predictable order. This chart shows the ages by which most children produce each sound clearly. Every child is different, so treat it as a guide, not a deadline. If a sound is well past its typical age, a speech-language pathologist can help. Tap any sound to practice it with picture cards and audio.

By age 3: the earliest sounds

Most children produce these clearly by their third birthday, along with vowels.

Ages 3 to 4

Back sounds and a few fricatives come in around this age.

Ages 4 to 5

Trickier fricatives and affricates settle in during the preschool years.

Ages 5 to 6 and beyond

The latest sounds. It is normal for these to still be developing in kindergarten.

Frequently asked questions

When should my child say the R sound?: The answer, along with the full guide for every sound, is included with Pro. See what Pro unlocks.
When should my child say the S sound?: The answer, along with the full guide for every sound, is included with Pro. See what Pro unlocks.
When should my child say the L sound?: The answer, along with the full guide for every sound, is included with Pro. See what Pro unlocks.
When should my child say the Voiceless TH sound?: The answer, along with the full guide for every sound, is included with Pro. See what Pro unlocks.

Looking for a specific sound? Browse the full list of speech sounds.