What is early speech and language development?
Infants and toddlers are the most critical period of speech and language development. Any interruption happened within this period can lead to speech and language difficulties.
During the first three years of life is critical for the speech and language development. Speech and language develop together with the maturity of their brain. Children also learn a lot from what they hear and see within their environment.
What is normal speech and language development?
Communication starts from the first day of life. For example, baby cries to indicate their needs, such as need diaper change, request for milk etc. Communication will continue to develop as they grow.
|
AGE |
SKILLS |
|
0 – 6 months |
|
|
7 – 11 months |
|
|
1 year |
|
|
2 year |
|
|
3 year |
|
|
4 year |
|
|
5 year |
|
(Source : Speech Theraphy Poster, MOH)
What is Speech Sound Disorder?
Many parents confused whether their child is having speech sound disorder or not. Just like physical development, children will turn his/her body frst, then crawl, walk, before they could run. Same thing goes with speech development.
Speech sound disorder is the ‘error’ that happen within developmental age. It includes articulation and also phonological errors.
Children is supposed to master speech sounds when they reach certain age.
Here is a general guideline about when sounds should be acquired and mastered.
|
AGE |
SOUND |
|
36 months |
/n/, /m/, /p/, /h/, /t/ |
|
40-44 months |
/f/, /w/, /ng/, /b/, /g/ |
|
48 months |
/s/, /j/, /d/ |
|
48+ months |
/r/, /l/, /sh/, /ch/, /z/, /v/, /j/, /th/ |
Phonological processes
Processes that disappear by age 3
|
PROCESS |
EXAMPLE |
|
Unstresses syllable deletion |
telefon – tepon |
|
Final consonant deletion |
dam – da |
|
Consonant assimilation |
kasut – atut |
|
Reduplication |
makan – mamam |
|
Velar Fronting |
kaki – tati |
Processes persisting after 3 years
|
PROCESS |
EXAMPLE |
| Cluster Reduction(a consonant in the cluster is omitted) |
plag – pag
(consonant ‘l’ is omitted) |
| Epenthasis (a vowel is misplaced or inserted in a word) |
klinik – kelinik
(vocal ‘e’ is inserted) |
| Gliding ( ‘l’ dan ‘r’ are replaced by ‘w’) |
bola – bowa
(l – w) |
| Vocalization (consonants are replaced by vowelsl) |
jatuh – ayuh
(consonant ‘t’ – vokal ‘y’ (i) ) |
| Stopping (fricative sounds are replaced by stops) |
sup – tup
(s – t) |
By the age of 5, or by age 7, these processes should be resolved. Phonological processes should stop and child’s speech will become more adult-like.
Other guidelines that can be followed are:
- By 2 years old, a child’s speech is normally 50% intelligible to the parents
- By 3 years old, a child’s speech is normally 90% intelligible to the parents
- By 3 years old, a child’s speech is normally 50% intelligible to the strangers
- By 4 years old, a child’s speech is normally 100% intelligible to the strangers
What causes speech sound disorders?
Some speech sound errors can result from :
- Low level of speech and language
- Neurological disorders, e.g: accident
- Oromotor problems
- Nasality problem
- Cleft lip/palate
- Tongue-tie
Should i be worried?
There are no worries if the speech and language level are up to chldren’s age. If not, you should get further treatment to professional needed.
What should i do if there is speech sound disorders?
- Refer to professional needed, such as Speech Language Therapist (SLT) to assess child’s problem. Get the referral letter from the government clinic or general practitioner(GP) for SLT’s assessment.
- Give good language stimulation. Avoid using childish accent. Talk to children using correct pronounciation so that children will not confuse correct vs uncorrect ones.
References
- Heyman, N. (2012). When your toddler is unintelligible. Dipetik September 4, 2012, dari http://nikkiheyman.co.za/when-you-toddler-is-unintelligible/
- American Speech Language Hearing Association. (2012). Speech Sound Disorders: Articulation and Phonological Processes. Washington, D.C.:Author. Dipetik September 4, 2012, dari http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/speechsounddisorders.htm
- Super Duper Publications (2004).What Are Phonological Processes (Number 66).Dipetik 4 September, 2012, dari http://superduperinc.com/
- Piccini, R.M. (2001). Phonological Processes (Number 23). Dipetik September 4, 2012, dari http://superduperinc.com/
| Last Reviewed | : | 28 August 2020 |
| Writer / Translator | : | Faizah bt. Rahim |
| Accreditor | : | Zaidi bin Ya’acob |
| Reviewer | : | Nadwah bt. Onwi |
