“What did you say?”
“Could you repeat that, please?”
Do you often have trouble understanding what your child is saying? Are family and friends puzzled by their speech? If so, you’re not alone.
The good news is that once you identify the problem, you can begin to work on the right solution
Common Speech Clarity Problems
Here are some of the most frequent challenges children face when learning to communicate:
-
Speaking too quickly: Words run together and the message gets garbled.
Example: “At Jerry’s birthday
weplayedonhisswingsdidsomecraftsandthenatesomecake.” -
Unclear articulation: Sounds aren’t formed correctly.
Example: Saying “teef” instead of “teeth” or “sire engine” instead of “fire engine.” -
Mispronunciations: Words are said incorrectly.
Example: “aminal” for “animal” or “cumber cumber” for “cucumber.” -
Invented words: New words are created by accident.
Example: “jumpoline” instead of “trampoline.” - Incomplete sentences or fading out: Important details are left out or the ending trails off.
- Vague responses: A question like “What did you do at Andrea’s party?” gets answered with “Stuff.”
- Too many details: Long-winded explanations that overwhelm the listener.
- Disorganized storytelling: Events are shared out of sequence or with missing steps.
How to Help Your Child Improve Their Speech
1. For Fast Talkers
2. For Unclear Articulation
Child: “I weally want to go.”
You: “You really want to go?”
Offer reminders from practice sessions: “Remember to curl your tongue up like a sleeping bag for that ‘r’ sound.”
3. For Word Mistakes
Child: “I runnded around the track.”
You: “You ran around the track? Great job!”
4. For Missing Details
Child: “I saw someone in the yard.”
You: “Who was it? What were they doing?”
Then have them retell it in one or two clear sentences.
5. For Vague Responses
Use playful prompts to spark details:
You: “Did you eat worm sandwiches?”
Child: “No, we had pizza and fruit!”
6. For Overly Detailed Stories
- “What was your favourite part?”
- “Can you give me just 5 key things that happened?”
7. For Disorganized Speech
- “What happened first?”
- “What came next?”
Or group information by category: “Tell me what the animal looks like. Now, where does it live?”
Do’s and Don’ts for Parents
- Encourage improvement: Praise specific progress, no matter how small.
- Model good habits: Speak clearly, finish thoughts, and share organized details yourself.
- Repeat back gently: Let them hear how their words can be improved without criticism.
- Don’t say “That’s wrong.” Corrections should be short, kind, and encouraging.
- Don’t over-correct mid-conversation. Save in-depth practice for later.
The Big Picture
Helping your child speak more clearly takes time, patience, and gentle guidance. Celebrate their effort, remind them when they slip, and model the kind of communication you want them to develop.
Most importantly, encourage dialogue. You want your child to feel confident sharing their thoughts, not afraid of being criticized.
Ready to support your child’s progress?
Visit the Resources section for eBooks and guides that make communication practice simple and fun.
