Speech & Language Development

What is language?

Language is the code we use to understand and communicate our ideas as well as to express our wants and needs.  Speech is the spoken form of our language.  Children hear language by listening and then practicing what they hear.  This is the way they figure out the rules of our language code.  Children do not learn language at exactly the same rate.  They learn in stages, over time, not all at once.

Developmental Order of Speech Sounds

Children should be able to produce all the sounds they need to communicate effectively by 8 years of age or at around 3rd grade.  There is no “set-rule” as to when a child can produce various sounds.  There are exceptions, for example, some children may produce “later” sounds at an early age or “early” sounds at a later age. Most children learn to produce the various sounds, but they may not produce them in the suggested developmental order.   

Speech-language pathologists (SLP) in the district are available to answer questions, evaluate and provide therapy to those who qualify under MN State criteria for children from birth to graduation. Most SLPs have a Master’s Degree plus national certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 

If your child does qualify for speech and language therapy a plan will be written with specific goals and objectives that will address your child’s needs. These communication skills may be taught in several ways - drill and practice, play interactions, communication classes, through literacy, conversation or with the assistance of communication devices. Session length and frequency varies depending on age and the nature and severity of the disorder. 

If you have specific concerns regarding your child, talk to your child’s teacher to see if their speech and language patterns are interfering with communication at school. If so, a referral may be made for an assessment by an Speech-Language Pathogist.