Type or tap your child's age and see how the speech sound timeline lines up: sounds most children have by that age, sounds that are usually emerging, and sounds that are still ahead. Every sound links to its word list so you can practice the ones that are ready.
The full timeline at a glance
| Age band | Sounds most children have by this age |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 years | p, b, m, d, n, h, t, k, g, w, ng, f, y |
| 4 years | l, j, ch, s, v, sh, z |
| 5 years | r, er, zh, voiced th (as in "this") |
| 6 years | voiceless th (as in "thumb") |
These bands come from a consonant acquisition review hosted by ASHA's practice portal. They describe when about 90% of children have a sound, which means plenty of typically developing kids get there later. The full write-up lives in our sound development guide.
Practice the sounds that are ready
Every sound has a word list built for home practice: start at the master word list index, or grab the free printable versions.
Frequently asked questions
Where do these ages come from?
From a published review of US studies on consonant acquisition, the same data hosted on ASHA's practice portal. They are bands, not deadlines: children vary widely and still develop typically.
My child is missing a sound for their age. Should I panic?
No single sound is a crisis. Look at the whole picture: how your child communicates, whether they are understood, and whether skills keep growing. If speech is hard to understand across settings or your gut says something is off, an SLP evaluation is the right next step.
Does this tool diagnose anything?
No. It is an educational reference that organizes published norms by age. Only a qualified professional who can see and hear your child can evaluate their speech.
This page is meant as educational support for home practice, not a diagnosis. It's not a medical device, not a replacement for AAC, and not a substitute for a licensed speech-language pathologist, pediatrician, early intervention program, or school evaluation team. If you have concerns about your child's speech, the right next step is a conversation with a qualified professional who can actually see and hear your child.