How do I get my 4 year old to speak correctly?

Question

He can't put sentences together correctly and garbles when he don't know how to. I've tried to get him to say things the right way, but when he tries he just smiles and says very good.
My heart sinks when I hear a smaller child speak clearly and my son don't. Prime example he just said comeon da bed. And he jus eat wopples.
Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? Or do you think he is behind on his speach too?
What am I doing wrong? I know some children have trouble pronouncing some words but it seems he isn't getting any better. And if so what should do to help him?

Answer 1

Yeah, I agree that he is behind on his speech. I think it is good that you are correcting him. Maybe you could send him to a speech therapy class. I know a child that goes to that.(it's provided by the state and is free) It is nothing that intense, it just helps them learn how to enunciate clearer. The class that the kid I know goes to is for a few hours once a week and he enjoys it. They usually have a letter that they focus on each day and they practice learning and saying words that start with that letter or have those letter combinations in it. I think it is a very good program, so maybe you could search for something like that.

Answer 2

There's nothing that you are necessarily doing wrong.

I would schedule an appointment to meet with an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. Explain your concerns. The specialist can check his ears to make sure there are no physical problem with the ear; he can check the hearing in the office and you can speak with a speech therapist right in the same office.

In the meantime, try speaking slowly and clearly to your son-frequently. Try reading to him. Hearing you pronounce the words correctly will help him know the correct way to pronounce the words.

Answer 3

Just make sure you say things clearly and correctly. A 4 year old picks up everything they say from the people they are around.

My 4 year-old daughter garbles a lot, too, especially if she's excited or talking fast. If he says something incorrectly, repeat it back to him the right way and he might correct himself. I don't think he's behind on speech. Every child is different.

Answer 4

At age 4, a child should be speaking in sentences and be understood almost 100%. He may have problems with "r" "l" or a lisp. However, these problems, if caught early are easily corrected.

The public school system where you live should have a program free of charge for you to have your child evaluated, even if he isn't enrolled in school yet. I would have him evaluated for speech and have his hearing checked as well.

Go with your gut/motherly instinct. Speech problems only get harder to correct as the child settles into the bad habits.

(My mother is a speech and language patholigist by the way and I consulted her before writing this.) Good luck.

Answer 5

I have a four year old as well i understand that you want the best for you child. The main way people pronounce words is with your tongue(the way you move it ). have you checked to see if he is tongue tied that is a common things with kids (the tongue can not do the full range of motion in the mouth). Also try to set eye to eye with him saying the words slowly with your mouth he can watch your mouth a copy you. The only reason children say DA DA first is because it is easier for the tongue to pronounce. All kids learn at a different level dont get to worried about it.

good luck

Answer 6

sweetie if you really think your child is having problems speaking correctly then take him to a specialist to have it professionally diagnosed. But remember never to compare your child to others. Every mother would like a perfect child who speaks clearly and correctly and BEHAVES but reality sets in and more often than not it just don't happen. Even after the specialist sees him if there is a problem work it out. Every one has issues to deal with some have too much i know but that is no disgrace. He is your child do your best to ensure he grows up to be a healthy, productive and conscientious individual. Good luck.

Answer 7

You know it's a funny thing my son was the same way, first speak very clear when talking to him and around him, Second speak to his pediatrician about getting him in a early intervention program for speech therapy. believe me girl it works and if he's not around other kids allot put him in a preschool, he'll pick up from the other kids. Most importantly when he talks if he says something the wrong way politely correct him. He'll catch on eventually. Good Luck and God Bless U and yours!!

Answer 8

if you are truly worried you should talk to your dr. in the mean time you could help him by repeating him...when he says come on da bed, you say ok dad will come to bed now. slightly stressing the mis-pronounced words. if he started to speak late this would be normal and don't worry about it. just make sure you always make him use his words and not guess what he wants. tell him the proper way to ask a question when he asks wrong and ask him to say it again. he'll be fine don't worry!!

Answer 9

Maybe you should get him checked out by a speech pathologist...my friends son was 3 and he only spoke 10-15 words. So she took him to a speech pathologist and he's doing better.

Answer 10

has his hearing been tested? He might have a hearing problem, or simply he needs his ears cleaned. I am not trying to be silly, stupid or rude. I am serious. He might be hearing things differently, and thus mispronouncing. If there is no hearing problem, I don't think it is anything to get too worried about. He'll eventually come around.