My daughter is very well spoken. She can hold a conversation like nobodies bussiness. However, I have noticed she mispronounces serveral words that include the letter M and N. She will say "ternamal" vs. "terminal" or "crinimal" vs. "criminal." I work with her to slow down when speaking, but I can see she gets frustrated. In recent days I have seen she doesn't speak as openly as she use to. I love the sound of her voice and welcome our daily conversations. Should I be more concerned.
I don't know, but I don't think so. My son did this. I had a terrible time with the word cinnamon until I was almost 30! He is in his 20's now and his job is in public speaking! I wouldn't worry.
Sounds like she's just over-generalizing some sound patterns. Given that she puts the /n/ before /m/ in those words, I would guess she says "animal" correctly. Since she had that word first, her little mouth and brain probably just do that naturally. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
If it bugs you, you might try having her read those words outloud and really look at the letters as she reads. She might not actually KNOW what she's doing wrong and that could be making her hesitant to speak. If you let her play with the letter sounds in those words, she'll notice that the /m/ is before /n/ in those particular words.
HTH
T.
For now, please do not ask her to slow down when she is speaking. To get her to speak out again, she has to know that "what" she is saying to you is more important than "how" she says it.
You mentioned two specific examples of her errors. I suggest you keep a notebook of examples. In the fall, you could schedule an appointment with her school's speech/language pathologist to discuss your observations. If these errors truly interfere with her message being understood, then you should request an evaluation. If the errors do not interfere with her being understood by others, the speech/language pathologist will probably not be able to see her, but can make suggestions for you to help or where to go for private paid therapy.
I am wondering if these same errors occur in her written work. If so, that should also be considered by the school.
Your elementary school should have a speech program. You can ask her teacher and she will send her to be tested. I had the teacher send my daughter for her s's. They decided she did not need the classes, but your daughter might. Good luck.
Talk to your school and see if a speech patholgist is recommended. At 9, she is probably getting self conscious about this. If there is not one in your local school district, call your local Scottish Rite masonic lodge. It is their philanthropy.
I would check it out w a speech therapist. If your child is at a public school it is your right to request one. If not, maybe make a, appt. w/ your pediatritian and they can recommend one. If she does have a speech problem, getting therapy for it now would be great!!
Good Luck!
well my daughter would say free instead of three she is 11 now and its went away because people made fun of her and she worked on it but my other daughter did the same thing as yours does so i know exactly how you feel but she just solved it herself but you are going to be fine
She might have an auditory processing problem. What she hears might be different then what you hear.
I have one now that I am an adult its no big deal. There some wrongs I have a diffucult time with along with some names. Alyssa and Kelvin are names that no matter how much I practice I can not hear any difference between when I pronounce the names correctly or incorrectly.
i think that you already brought it to her attention, so she knows. And i'm sure that on her own, she is trying to work on it. Now just let it go. Don't mention it anymore. Otherwise, she will be very self-conscious and not be the social butterfly you know her to be.
a few sessions with a speech therapist will probably do the trick. you can go to www.asha.org to find one in your area.
