Phonological Patterns by Age: What’s Normal and What’s Not
Phonological processes are the patterns that young children use to simplify adult speech.
For example: Saying “tat” for “cat” or “won” for “run”.
They are a normal part of speech development that most children outgrow between the ages of 3 and 5.
In this post, we’ll explain common phonological processes, when they typically disappear, and when it might be time to seek support.
Phonological Processes in Typical Speech Development
As children learn more complex, adult like speech, they make predictable errors.
These ‘errors’ are called phonological processes.
Bowen, C. (2011) lists typical occurring patterns in English with an example and brief description.
Pre-vocalic voicing (car = gar)
A voiceless sound preceding a vowel is replaced by a voiced sound.
Word final devoicing (red = ret)
A final voiced consonant is replaced by a voiceless consonant
Final consonant deletion (boat = bo)
A final consonant is omitted (deleted) from a word.
Velar fronting (car = tar)
A back sound is replaced by a front sound.
Palatal fronting (ship = sip)
sh or zh are replaced b y s or z respectively
Consonant harmony (cup = pup)
The pronunciation of a word is influenced by one of the sounds it 'should' contain.
Weak syllable deletion (telephone = teffone)
Weak (unstressed) syllables are deleted from words of more than one syllable.
Cluster reduction (try = ty)
One or more cluster elements are deleted (try = ty) or replaced (try = pwy).
Gliding of liquids (ladder = wadder)
Liquids are replaced by glides.
Stopping (ship = tip)
A stop consonant replaces a fricative or affricate.
When do Children Outgrow Phonological Processes?
Bowen, C. (2011) also provides the age (in years; months) these processes are expected to be eliminated.
Pre-vocalic voicing (car = gar) by age 3;0
Word final devoicing (red = ret) by age 3;0
Final consonant deletion (boat = bo) by age 3;3
Velar fronting (car = tar) by age 3;6
Palatal fronting (ship = sip) by age 3;6
Consonant harmony (cup = pup) by age 3;9
Weak syllable deletion (telephone = teffone) by age 4;0
Cluster reduction (try = ty) by age 4;0
Gliding of liquids (ladder = wadder) by age 5;0
Stopping (ship = tip)
/f/ (fish = tish) by age 3;0
/s/ (soap = dope) by age 3;0
/v/ (very = berry) by age 3;6
/z/ (zoo = doo) by age 3;6
‘sh’ (shop = dop) by age 4;6
‘j’ (jump = dump) by age 4;6
‘ch’ (chair = tare) by age 4;6
‘th’ voiceless (thing = ting) by age 5;0
‘th’ voiced (them = dem) by age 5;0
The phonological processes listed above are a sample of some of the most common patterns treated in speech therapy.
A more comprehensive list of phonological patterns and treatment can be found in the text, Articulation and Phonological Disorders by Bernthal, J., Bankson, N. W., & Flipsen, P., Jr. (2013)
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
Children can have one or more processes that may severely impact a child’s intelligibility.
Phonological processes can be difficult for parents to recognize and should be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist.
If you have concerns about your child’s speech, reach out to your pediatrician.
References
Bowen, C. (2011). Table 2: Phonological Processes. Retrieved from http://www.speech-language-therapy.com/
Bernthal, J., Bankson, N. W., & Flipsen, P., Jr. (2013). Articulation and phonological disorders. New York, NY: Pearson Higher Education.
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