Until what age may a child not pronounce some sounds, for example r, sz, cz, k?
Applies to age: 24–60 months
In short
At 2–3 years of age a child uses the sounds k, g, f, t, d and n, and at 4–5 years of age says most sounds correctly, except for a few (a description for English). If something worries you, consult a specialist.
What is normal
All claims: international norm
- At 2–3 years of age a child uses the sounds k, g, f, t, d and n (a description of English sounds).
Source: NIDCD – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n sounds
NIDCD · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [1]
- At 2–3 years of age a child speaks in a way that family members and friends can understand.
Source: NIDCD – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Speaks in a way that is understood by family members and friends
NIDCD · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [1]
- At 4–5 years of age a child says most sounds correctly, except for a few; the source lists the English sounds l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh and th.
Source: NIDCD – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Says most sounds correctly except for a few (l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th)
NIDCD · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [1]
- Children differ in the pace of their speech and language development.
Source: NIDCD – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Children vary in their development of speech and language skills.
NIDCD · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [1]
When to worry
Some claims: international norm
- Twisting words or speaking unclearly is one of the signs that a child may have a hearing problem.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
przekręca słowa lub niewyraźnie mówi
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [2]
Worth discussing with a doctor: international norm
- A child who has trouble pronouncing sounds correctly, or who hesitates or stutters, may have a speech disorder; in that situation it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NIDCD – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Children who have trouble producing speech sounds correctly or who hesitate or stutter when talking may have a speech disorder.
NIDCD · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [1]
Talk to your child's doctor if you have any concerns.
NIDCD · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [1]
See a doctor
- It is worth consulting a specialist about what worries you, and using the advice of a midwife, nurse or pediatrician.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Warto jednak skonsultować ze specjalistą to, co Cię zaniepokoiło i korzystać z rad położnej, pielęgniarki czy pediatry.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [2]
- If there are signs of possible hearing loss, such as a child twisting words or speaking unclearly, consult a doctor and have the child's hearing tested.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Skonsultuj się wtedy z lekarzem i zbadaj słuch swego dziecka.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [2]
- Polish care pathway: the Ministry of Health (MZ) regulation on guaranteed services in primary care (POZ), consolidated text published in the Journal of Laws (Dz.U.) 2023, item 1427, Annex 1, Part III, item 5, provides that the health checkup at 2 years of age includes a test of the development of auditory reactions and an assessment of speech development. This is the timing of the checkup and an indication of what is assessed then, not an age range for skills.
Source: Akty prawne w Dzienniku Ustaw – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
2 lata profilaktyczne badanie lekarskie (bilans zdrowia) obejmuje
Akty prawne w Dzienniku Ustaw · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [3]
Polish original
przeprowadzenie testu rozwoju reakcji słuchowych oraz ocenę rozwoju mowy
Akty prawne w Dzienniku Ustaw · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-16 · license [3]
international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.
Sources
- NIDCD – Speech and Language Developmental Milestones (USA)License: Domena publiczna (USA). Source: NIDCD – Speech and Language Developmental Milestones (USA).
- Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)
- https://pacjent.gov.pl/niedosluch-u-dzieci
- https://pacjent.gov.pl/zapobiegaj/jak-dbac-o-zdrowy-rozwoj-psychiczny-dziecka
License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. - Akty prawne w Dzienniku Ustaw (ELI: eli.gov.pl, api.sejm.gov.pl)License: Akt normatywny, art. 4 pkt 1 ustawy o prawie autorskim (nie podlega ochronie). Source: Akty prawne w Dzienniku Ustaw (ELI: eli.gov.pl, api.sejm.gov.pl).