What phonetic sounds are some of the last sounds for a child to master?

Question

The phonemes /k/ and /t/ may be some of the last sounds a child might master. Some children may not master their differences until as late as 7 years old.

Interestingly when dictation on smart phones first came out people may have noticed that the words they spoke into their phones or devices were typing "k" when a /t/ sound was spoken or the device typed a "t" when the /k/ sound was spoken. Hearing the differences between these two sounds greatly depends on understanding how they are produced when speaking, something technology took time to learn.

Answer 1

With 20 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist in the public schools, the sounds that I have found most difficult for my clients to master are "r", especially vowel "r" (as in "floor" or "pearl"), and correction of a lateral lisp (i.e.: airflow escaping through the sides of the teeth, especially evident on the "sh" and "ch" sounds). Sounds that also come later to develop (but are not as difficult to master) are "l" and "th".

Answer 2

When students are trying to learn the vowel sounds, and certain consonant sounds, it helps to hold a hand in front of their mouths, and feel the air that is expelled from the letter. For example, the difference between P and B is that a P sound expels air, while a B does not. Sounds are differentiated by tongue placement and lip placement. English can be challenging in the way that we say many of our words. Many of our sounds seem very similar. It helps to have a teacher who can demonstrate differences right in front of you!

Answer 3

When we pronounce a consonant, there is always some point in the process where we almost completely or completely close our mouths. When we pronounce a vowel, our mouths remain open and we just shape the sound by changing the shape of our mouths.