Confusion between speech sounds can interfere with children's progress in reading and writing. Raisingkids.co.uk's guest expert, Claire Dorfan, outlines some means of overcoming these problems.

Raisingkids member's problem
My son is almost 6 and has trouble with the sounds for 'l' and 'r'. He also has a slight lisp. He has had a few speech therapy lessons (at my request) and made progress but he's still not quite there. We practice the sounds in lots of different ways, but I would appreciate your advice on how I can help him more. His voice also has a very baby-like timbre - will this change (deepen) as he gets a bit older? Thanks for any advice!

Claire's advice
The sounds 'l' and 'r' that you mention fall within a category of complex sounds that are mastered last by children. By 'lisp' are you referring to distorted 's' and 'z' sounds? Pronouncing 's' requires high levels of co-ordination of the lips, tongue and teeth that many children find difficult.

You were wise to request speech and language therapy for your 6 yr-old. Confusion between speech sounds can interfere with children's progress in reading and writing, and of course, with communication. It is very encouraging that he has made progress with his speech. This indicates that he is now becoming able to differentiate between correct and incorrect production of the sound.

I imagine that it has now been explained to him exactly where to position his lips, tongue and teeth in order to aim for accuracy. The 'l' and 'r' sounds require the tongue-tip to be lifted up towards the palate, up and back for the 'r'. Is your son now able to do this? The 's' requires the exhalation of air through a tiny space between the teeth. Any gaps between individual teeth or between the upper and the lower rows of teeth could make the production of a clear 's' difficult.

Speech and language therapists usually work according to the following steps and you could try the same a t home. Do remember, however, to keep sessions short and pleasant. Always reward the effort rather than the perfection.

• Try producing the sound on its own (see the previous paragraphs)
  
  
• Try producing the sound within a word e.g. sand (beginning of the word), kiss (end of the word), or basket (middle of the word)
  
  
• Practice using the sound correctly in short sentences
  
  
• ... Then try using the word in conversation

Do request a re-check appointment with the therapist should you or your son find home work difficult. The therapist should be able to set a more detailed programme that is specific to your son's current ability.

Regarding your concerns about his voice - is the tone always the same or does it change depending on his mood, or the person he's talking to? Has he passed all his hearing tests? Do you have any concerns about his hearing? I strongly recommend you consult your doctor, health visitor, or speech and language therapist should you remain concerned.