This Speech Sound Development Chart was updated October 2020 based on Crowe and Mcleod’s Children’s English Consonant Acquisition in the US: A Review as found in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.

How well should someone understand a child’s speech?

Speaking in short sentences to a non-familiar person, your child is understood:

• 3 year old: approximately 68%

• 3 1/2 year old: approximately 78%

• 4 year old: approximately 86%

• 4 1/2 year old: approximately 91%

• 5 year old: approximately 94%

• 6 year old: approximately 97%