Can anyone advise me on my toddler's speech development?

[Desiderata]

My ds (2.6) is a delightful little chap, (and I know I would say that, wouldn't I?) He rarely stops talking and his vocabulary is pretty expansive.

But can anyone put my mind at rest (or give me practical advise) on a certain aspect of his speech that's starting to worry me.

When he says his S's, he curls his tongue and sticks it out. I've tried playing a game where I close my teeth and say 'S', but he won't play .

He also can't say S at the beginning of a word where the second letter is P or T - so spot is pot, stinky is tinky, etc.

I know he's only little, but is this fairly common or should I think about some form of speech therapy before he reaches school age?

... and that should read 'practical advice'

they wouldn't consider the cluster sounds "sp" "st" until he's about 6 I think.

Thanks, CarGirl. My mind's at rest on that aspect, at least.

Far to early Desiderata ...
We have had worries about DD too (she is 3.4) but honestly for the 'st' and 'sp' sounds 2 and a half is very little to worry about it.
I think Moondog is a speech therapist ... she may be able to help you ...

And many toddlers have lisps I think???

Aw, thanks Ghosty. I don't want to come across as over-anxious about it, but it's good to know that it isn't particularly unusual.

It is easy to feel anxious.
DD was referred to a paed when the HV commented on her large head. She underwent x - rays etc and when the paed could find nothing wrong he decided she had speech delay (she wouldn't talk to him the two times he saw her). So off we went (me panicking) to a speech therapist - DD was almost 3. I was looking after a friend's little boy (5 months older) who had to come with us. It was at that session that I realised there was nothing wrong with DD. The sp. therapist examined her thoroughly, covering all the sounds - it was really thorough. I realised that my DD's speech was much much clearer than my friend's little boy and no one has suggested he gets looked at.
The therapist commented on a few sounds (DD says GOG for DOG for example, but can say 'DON'T') but said DD was fine.
It was really easy for me to panic ... and I do wish I hadn't (I'd be a bit richer now )

I'm glad everything turned out OK, Ghosty.

And yes, the financial implications of speech therapy would make me think very hard about it. I'll just leave it a year or so and hopefully the curling tongue will unravel itself!