'Should I be able to understand them by now?' 'Is that sound typical for their age?” “Will they just grow out of it?'

Children’s speech develops enormously during their first five years, but knowing what to expect and when is not always straightforward. For educators, it can be difficult to distinguish between the natural development of speech sounds and signs that a child may need additional support.

In this practical webinar, qualified Speech Pathologist Colin Slattery explores how children learn to produce speech sounds and what educators can expect as their speech becomes clearer.

Together, we will explore how to:

• Recognise how speech sounds typically develop during the first five years

• Understand what to expect at different stages and why some sounds take longer to develop

• Identify common causes of speech delays and difficulties and notice when additional support may be needed

• Use effective speech modelling to support children’s developing communication in everyday interactions

Because understanding how speech develops helps us listen differently, respond intentionally and give every child greater opportunity to make themselves understood.