page contents
Speech Production
Speech Sound Development
The following lists indicate the sounds that are typically mastered by the indicated grade level. There would be cause for concern when a child does not produce the sounds that should be able to produce, and less concerned about those that are still developing.
Note: * indicates sounds typically affected by dialectal differences, and thus may or may not be an area of concern.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kindergarten (Ages 5-6)
Should be able to produce...
p/b m n ng*
k/g t/d h
Still developing...
f/v w y l
ch/ j* sh* th*
s/ z r
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by the END of First Grade (Ages 6-7)
Should be able to produce...
p/b m n ng*
k/g t/d h
f/v w y l
ch/ j* sh*
Still developing...
s/ z r th*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by the END of Second Grade (Ages 7-8)
Should be able to produce...
p/b m n ng*
k/g t/d h
f/v w y l
ch/ j* sh* th*
s/z r
(all of them!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional sources: Articulation Norms