To tell son to stop mumbling!!

[Acunningruse]

9 yo DS has developed an incredibly annoying way of speaking lately- a sort of cross between a mumble and whine which is barely intelligible. We have talked to him about it and pointed out that he gets upset that people aren't listening to him as they can't understand what he is saying, and he needs to speak more clearly, but to no effect.

He actually attends drama/singing classes and they had their show today and the teacher was talking about clarity and projection which the other kids seem to have taken on board but his lines were quiet and mumbled.

Any ideas on what we can do to help him? Google seems to direct me to mumbling in younger children.

Stop understanding or responding to anything he says or asks.

Keep saying "excuse me, what did you say".

On a loop.

It will piss him off.

Get your husband on board.

No anger, just incomprehension!

My parents pointed out my brother's poor clarity of speech as a young teen, he just dug his heels in and continued to mumble through his early
maybe some SALT can advise? twenties. I'm sure it cost him jobs as I genuinely struggled to understand him. He's now grown out of it ( it wasn't a confidence thing, just rebellion) and speaks perfectly clearly. It's frustrating but

Don't give in! Try:

'What?'
'No, can't hear you'.
'Repeat?'

Be succinct, unapologetic and repetitive. You are doing your DS a favour long-term.

Do the same as you would with an adult in polite company - "sorry, didn't catch that", nicely without any parenty vibes.

My parents used to tell me that I was mumbling and it made me feel like shit and only more shy.

@SpindlesWhirl

Don't give in! Try:

'What?'
'No, can't hear you'.
'Repeat?'

Be succinct, unapologetic and repetitive. You are doing your DS a favour long-term.

Yes this. Kids have weird phases but don’t allow this to be. Habit.

Tell him that you won't be responding to him anymore if he doesn't use his "normal "voice and that you will continue to ignore him if he choses to keep mumbling. Then stick to your rules.

Are you sure his hearing's ok? Is yours? Might be worth checking.

Once you've sorted him can you come round and do my husband

I may also be going deaf

If this is a recent change, and even with instruction he’s still doing it (so he is aware). I would dig a little deeper. Is there anything else going on? 9 is very young-has his confidence been knocked for some reason? feeling more shy perhaps? I can talk quietly and mumble if I’m nervous in a group so wonder if there anything emotional happening for him.