A Linguistic’s Thoughts on Improving Child Articulation

Speech development in a toddler consists of di and parents worry about clarity, pronunciation, or whether their child is falling behind. But according to Cara Tyrell, M.Ed and Linguistics expert who supports parents, articulation is not about correcting speech but closer to a physical development that is to be trained.

During her appearance on MissPoppins: The Art of Parenting, Cara explains that articulation begins long before a child speaks clearly.

“So the word articulation actually derives from articulators and the articulators that we have in our oral motor capacity are our jaw, our tongue, our lips”

These articulators must work together intentionally for clear speech to emerge.

“Because we need to articulate them to move them in a specific way so that the sound we are trying to make comes out of our mouth clearly.”

Understanding this helps parents shift from correcting words to supporting speech motor development.

What Causes Articulation Challenges in Children?

One of the most common misconceptions in child articulation development is that unclear speech means a child isn’t trying hard enough. Cara clarifies that articulation challenges are usually physical, not behavioral.

“Kids who struggle with articulation typically have some type of underdeveloped motor control in those parts of their mouth.”

This is why articulation issues in toddlers often show up during the transition from babbling to real words.

“The babbling and then… they start to create some type of repeated phoneme, like the la, la, la, la, and the baba, baba, baba, and they’re just practicing.”

When words begin forming, parents may notice substitutions or unclear sounds.

“Once they get to putting a word together, if you notice an articulation challenge, it could be because they need some type of support developing there.”

Over correcting when a child mispronounces something adds pressure and isn’t productive. Parents should be grounded and create a calm environment where they can mess up and feel confident in trying again.

Speech Sounds Don’t Develop All at Once

Parents often wonder why their toddler can say “mama” but struggles with other sounds. Cara emphasizes that articulation milestones by age vary because some sounds are physically easier to produce.

“Phonemes, certain phonemes come easier and earlier as those muscle motor scales are developing in the oral cavity and certain come later and they’re much harder.”

Early-developing sounds rely on simpler movements.

“Those early ones are the M and… the bilips. So the B and the P, those come out early.”

That’s why early speech clarity looks similar across children.

“And this is why the first words are very often mama, right? And papa.”

Harder sounds require more strength and coordination.

“The latter ones… are more guttural. They come from the back of the throat and it takes more muscle control to produce them.”
“That’s a lot of tongue articulation, right?”

This explains why sounds like R, K, G, and CH develop later which is why delayed mastery doesn’t automatically signal a speech delay.

Articulation vs. Other Speech Concerns

Parents often confuse articulation issues with phonological or neurological speech disorders. Cara stresses the importance of distinction.

“Articulation challenges… you’ll notice them as your kids develop. It’s appropriate until it’s not.”

She explains:

“Because articulation is very specific to one of those articulators doing its job properly.”

Understanding this difference helps parents know when to observe, when to support, and when to seek professional guidance.

FAQ: How to Improve Your Child’s Articulation 

How can I help my child improve articulation at home?

Support articulation by encouraging natural speech, modeling clear sounds, and avoiding constant correction. Creating a calm, responsive environment helps children practice speech motor skills safely.

Is poor articulation normal in toddlers?

Yes. Many articulation challenges are developmentally appropriate, especially with harder sounds like R, K, and G.

When should I worry about articulation issues?

If your child shows little progress over time, plateaus, or regresses, it may be time to seek support.

What causes articulation problems in children?

Most articulation issues stem from underdeveloped oral motor control, not lack of understanding or effort.

What’s the difference between articulation and phonological disorders?

Articulation involves the physical production of sounds, while phonological disorders involve how the brain organizes and assigns meaning to sounds.