Beyond /R/: other tricky sounds kids work on
R gets a lot of attention, but L, S blends, TH, SH, and CH can be tricky too. Learn what is typical and when to ask for help.
When parents think about speech sounds, /r/ usually steals the spotlight, and for good reason. It’s one of the last sounds that many children master, but it’s far from the only one that can be tricky.
Sounds like /l/, /s/ and /s/ blends, “th,” “sh,” and “ch” also take time to develop, and often show up in those “cute mispronunciations” that eventually fade. Sometimes these speech errors stick around a little longer.
If your child stumbles on any of these sounds, you are in good company.
Let’s break down the usual suspects.
/L/
The /l/ sound asks for some precise coordination: the tip of the tongue lifts to the ridge just behind the top teeth while the rest of the tongue stays relaxed.
That’s a lot for little mouths to manage at first.
Until it clicks, many children substitute /w/ or /y/, so “love” becomes “wuv” and “yellow” becomes “yewwow.” This pattern is very common in early speech development and often resolves naturally. If it sticks around beyond the expected age range, a bit of targeted practice can make a big difference.
/S/ and /S/ Blends
/S/ is one of the most frequently targeted sounds in speech therapy.
Some children develop a frontal lisp, where the tongue comes forward between the teeth, making “sun” sound like “thun.” Others don’t struggle with the sound in isolation but have difficulty with /s/ blends like spoon, star, and snake, simplifying them to “poon,” “tar,” or “nake.”
These patterns are common, and very responsive to therapy when needed.
“TH,” “SH,” and “CH”
These later-developing sounds require precise tongue placement and airflow control, which is why they tend to emerge a bit later in speech development.
Here’s what we often hear when they’re still coming together:
- “th” may be replaced with /f/ or /d/: “free” for “three,” “dis” for “this”
- “sh” may come out as /s/: “sip” for “ship”
- “ch” may soften to “sh” or /t/: “ship” for “chip”
These substitutions are all part of the learning process as children figure out how to coordinate their articulators.
When Is It Worth Getting Help?
It may be worth checking in with a speech-language pathologist if you notice:
- The error is not typical for your child’s age (see speech sound development)
- Your child is difficult to understand compared to peers (intelligibility)
- Frustration, embarrassment, or avoidance of certain words
- Teachers, caregivers, or others have expressed concern
Supporting Clear Speech at Home
If a sound has you wondering, the best first step is information. A quick conversation can tell you whether your child is right on track or would benefit from a little support.
Most sound errors are a normal part of learning to talk, but you never have to wonder alone.
