How clear should my child’s speech be?
A quick rule of thumb therapists use: how much would a stranger understand?
This is a rule of thumb, not a test. If you are worried, a speech therapist can check properly. See also which sounds come at which age.
Questions parents ask
Why do strangers matter, not family?
Parents learn to understand their own child. A stranger’s ear is a fairer test of how clear your child’s speech really is.
Does a bilingual home change this?
Use the language your child speaks most. Learning two or more languages does not cause unclear speech.
My child is clear but still says some sounds wrong. Is that a problem?
Often not. Some sounds, like “r” and “th”, come later. See our speech sounds chart for the usual ages.
Still unsure?
Call or WhatsApp us to ask about a speech assessment.