When to start correcting speech

[EvoGirl]

My DS is only 3 & a half and I'm sure it's too early, but ... when should I start correcting his speech? Eg. He says "vere" instead of "there", "fink" instead of "think". It only concerns me because his Dad still speaks like that at age 37 because no one ever bothered to correct him. He's a very intelligent, articulate man but this speech impediment (for want of a better term) makes him sound a bit thick in my opinion. I don't want DS following in his Dad's footsteps, I want him to pronounce words properly as I believe kids need all the help they can get in society these days. Is 3 too young for me to start explaining to him about pronunciation?

we were always told by our sons speech therapist to pronounce words correctly at home and not correct him as such but repeat the word with him in a sentence

like if he says "vere is a cat"
repeat to him "yes, there is a cat

I think when they start to write & spell it's important to say letters properly. My DS used to say one, two, free for example which meant he couldn't see why it was spelt THree. He quickly picked it up & agree - putting words in a sentance is good & more postive than 'no, that's wrong'

But don't forget the need for protective colouration - my two are completely trilingual - Kentish for school, Yourkshire for the cousins and Posh for home. If only they learnt French as easily.....

Completley agree with repeating the sentance thing. My DS1 had this problem and it is what we were advised to do and it worked a treat.

What I have always done is usually not correct them but just repeat back to them the words they used but correctly said and often then then parrot back what you said.

My sisters are both Primary teachers (Reception & Y1) - their advice to me with dd2 age 3 ( who also has "quirky" words) is correct now or they'll end up having speech therapy referral in reception.

EvoGirl, if your DS is having trouble working out how to say the "th" sounds, ask him to touch his top front teeth with his tongue to say them.