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| Healthy Behaviour
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Clear The Way
My 4-year-old has trouble pronouncing "th's". What do I do?
Q My son has trouble pronouncing “th’s”. He just turned 4. My husband is concerned and says we should look into a speech therapist. I think he is overreacting. What do you suggest?
A Children vary in their development of speech and language. There is, however, a natural progression or “timetable” to master language skills. Typically, he needs to acquire simple skills before learning more complex skills. Between 4 and 6 years, most children can speak clearly and fluently, construct long and detailed sentences, tell a long and involved story sticking to the topic, and can communicate easily with familiar adults and other children. He can pronounce most sounds correctly, although he may have difficulty with “r”, “v” and “th”.
If he has a particular difficulty producing certain sounds correctly, here’s how to help him:
• Model a clear and exaggerated “s” sound by clenching your front teeth and making a BIG smile, such as by emphasising the spreading of your lips. If your child says “thun” instead of “sun”, repeat the word by stressing the “s” sound (“SSSSun”). Remind your child to keep his tongue in his mouth by saying, “Oops! I saw your tongue. Stay in your house, Mr Tongue!”
• Stand in front of each other and say phrases using the “th” sound several times a day for a few weeks, so that he can see how he does it differently from you. If he is aware of how he pronounces during conversations, he will try to correct himself when he uses the wrong sounds.
If he trips on making a specific sound, it is an articulation problem. Work on these by playing games that require him to correctly pronounce the sounds and words he has issues with.
This question is answered by Preman Komala Devi, principal curriculum specialist at My First Skool.
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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