This simple, playful checklist is designed to give you clarity and peace of mind about your child’s growing communication skills. It’s based on typical developmental milestones for speech sounds — the sounds most children begin to use between the ages of 2 and 6 years.

Each sound listed is one that children generally start to develop and use during everyday play, chatting, and exploring the world around them. The ages are guides, not deadlines — every child is different, and communication grows in its own time.

✅ What this checklist is about:

• Noticing whether your child is starting to use these speech sounds — even if they’re not saying every word “perfectly.”

• Tracking whether a sound is part of their sound system — maybe in babbling, play sounds, or certain favourite words.

• Helping you feel informed and empowered to celebrate progress and seek support if needed.

❌ What this checklist is not about:

• Expecting flawless pronunciation.

• Comparing your child to others.

• Labeling delays or disorders — that’s something a qualified speech pathologist can help with if concerns arise.

Use the YES/NO columns to check off which sounds your child is already playing with or using. You might notice them in animal noises (“mmm” like a cow), exclamations (“uh-oh!”), or in parts of
familiar words (“t” in teddy).

This is a tool to observe, reflect, and celebrate — not to judge or worry. If you have questions or want more guidance, a speech pathologist can offer friendly support tailored to your child.