Typical ages of elimination for sound errors (Phonological processes)

Below you will find descriptions of phonological processes (a pattern of sound error(s)) a typical child will use. This includes an example, and the approximate age (years;months) at which these processes will stop being used.

• Pre-vocalic voicing:        pig = big        3;0

• Word-final de-voicing:       pig = pick        3;0

• Final consonant deletion:    comb = coe        3;3

• Fronting:       car = tar        3;6

• Consonant harmony:       mine = mime        3;9

• Weak syllable deletion:        elephant = efant    4;0

• Cluster reduction:        spoon = poon        4;0

• Gliding of liquids:        run = one        5;0

• Stopping /f/:            fish = tish        3;0

• Stopping /s/ :          soap = dope        3;0

• Stopping /v/ :           very = berry        3;6

• Stopping /z/:            zoo = doo        3;6

• Stopping 'sh' :           shop = dop        4;6

• Stopping 'j':            jump = dump        4;6

• Stopping 'ch':            chair = tare        4;6

• Stopping voiceless 'th':        thing = ting        5;0

• Stopping voiced 'th' :       them = dem        5;0

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References

• Bowen, C. (2011). Table 3: Elimination of Phonological Processes. Retrieved from http://www.speech-language-therapy.com/ on 16/01/2016.

• Bowen, C. (1998). Developmental phonological disorders. A practical guide for families and teachers. Melbourne: ACER Press.

• Grunwell, P. (1997). Natural phonology. In M. Ball & R. Kent (Eds.), The new phonologies: Developments in clinical linguistics. San Deigo, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc.