my dd almost 4, can't pronounce the f sound, it sounds like b, should i be seeking help for her?

[carriedababi]

for eg frog is bog
football is bootball


she saw a salt in feb time as the reschool reised concerns that they can't always understand her

but the salt said she doesn't have a problem and doesn't want to do any work with ehr incase it damages her self esteem

but that she will see her again before she starts school if
we wish, which we said we'd like to. just to keep her in the system


the salt did say back in feb that by age 4 she should be able to pronunce f sound and y sound

oes it sound to you liek she has a problem?
so what should i be doing to help dd

[carriedababi]

[UnseenAcademicalMum]

My ds1 had a problem with the "j" sound till he was about 5. We spoke to his teacher about it, who said it was quite normal at that age to still have some sounds which they struggle with, but to wait a year and she would then recommend referral to a SALT if things hadn't improved on their own, but she thought it was not a good idea to jump in too early as it could as you say, damage his self-esteem. As it happens, a year later, things have improved on their own. I think for some dc's it just takes longer to manage the full range of sounds than for others.

The only thing we did was get a hearing test for ds1, to check that wasn't the reason he couldn't make the sound properly.

[carriedababi]

oh thanks for the reply unseen, i'm not too worried as she seems like a bright and happy girl.

she doesn't seem to me, to have any sort of behaviour problems, so hopefully no learning problems

with you son did you do anything to help him practise or just let it come on its own as such

[UnseenAcademicalMum]

We didn't do anything to help him with it in particular, we just tried not to draw his attention to it. I don't think it is necessarily linked to learning problems (ds1 is classed as "gifted and talented", so really no problems there - not that that is intended to be bragging). I'd wait till she's in full-time school and ask her teacher, as I say, we were told it was quite normal and school had no concerns.

[activate]

google for ages that sounds develop - it's up to something like 12

[cyb]

I would just repeat it back to her properly when she mispronounces it, without making a big deal 'yes thats right, its a frog'

[shortarsefuck]

My DD2 couldn't say the "j" sound either - she was about 7 before she got it.

I wouldn't worry too much.

[carriedababi]

"I would just repeat it back to her properly when she mispronounces it, without making a big deal 'yes thats right, its a frog'"
yes that is exactley what we do.

salt said thats the right thing to do too.

[cyb]

She may well correct it herself as she starts to become phonetically aware and read words

[CroissantNeuf]

Something I was told by DS's reception teacher was that they would consider it a problem if he started writing it the way he said it IYSWIM.

So, OP, in your case for example it would only become a problem if your DD started writing 'bootball' or not recognising the word when it is written as 'football'

[carriedababi]

thanks very much for the advice,

she is definatley reconising words, as early today she aske to watch mickey mouse clubhouse, i said i'll see if i have one on the sky planner.

and i was dithering saying oh i can't see one, and dd goes yes there is,there it is, and went over to the screen and pointed it out.

so she can recognise some words!

[Michaelahpurple]

If you are worried you can self-refer to you local speech language unit (generally to be found at same placeds as health visitors) and have her assessed.

[carriedababi]

she was assessed in feb and the salt sai theres no problem, but i know not everyone can always understand her.

[AnaS]

My dd3 - age 4 has loads of problems with her speech and sees a SALT. Her probs are quite unusual and in her sessions the therapist has said she is happy with certain, more common mistakes like the one you describe as this will make it easier to be understood when she starts school. If your SALT says it's ok then it will prob sort itself out. Just as others have said - say it correctly without making an issue of it. you will prob find her friends can understand her - I know most adults can't understand my dd but her friends 'translate' at preschool. I am hoping they will be in her class at school to help her teacher! hth