Is 'pl' difficult to pronounce?

[KindergartenKop]

My 4 year old finds it hard to pronounce 'pl' and says it more like 'cl' as in clug and clum instead of plug and plum. He can just about say it when I get him to listen carefully but then lapses back into saying it wrong. His hearing has also been a bit dodgy recently and I'm worried it might be linked. I've made an appointment with the GP for in a couple of months. Is it a difficult sound to say? Should I be concerned? Other than this his speech and vocabulary is excellent.

A couple of weeks, not months, sorry!

Hi, I’m a speech and language therapist. If this is the only sound he’s having difficulty with and it is stimuable (he can say it on its own) I wouldn’t be too worried especially if he can do other clusters such as ‘fl, pr, sk,’ etc.
It’s normal for children to have some difficulties with pronunciation at 4. This chart may help: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Childrens-SLT-speech-sound-development.pdf

Depending on where you live you might be able to see a speech therapist at a drop in and just ask them to have a listen to him to put your mind at rest.

It is worth getting his hearing checked as little kids frequently have reduced hearing from having colds so ask your GP to have a look in his ears when you see them.

Thanks, that is helpful. I will speak to his nursery teacher and the GP about it.

My daughter was about 5 before she could say Br words. She pronounced it Dr. Ie, drown dread, dreakfast etc.
I wouldn’t worry too much.

My DD3 could never pronounce 'sh'. She always said 'zh'. She grew out of it.