articles

Ask the Expert

My preschooler is smart but is hard to understand in conversation? What is going on?

By Sage Speech and Learning November 2, 2017

My preschooler is smart but is hard to understand in conversation? What is going on? 


It is important to understand that there is PLENTY of variability in the preschool ages. That being said, Speech Language Pathologists do adhere to guidelines about expected intelligibility, or clarity, of a child’s speech. At age 2, we expect children to be about 50% intelligible to an unfamiliar listener. This number jumps to 75% at age 3, and close to 100% at age 4.
There are many factors that relate to intelligibility, including articulation of individual speech sounds, the ability to correctly produce sound types (“back” or velar sounds, “tongue tip” or alveolar sounds, etc.), as well as rate of speech, second language development, and more.
Early intervention is incredibly important to prevent difficulty in the later preschool or early elementary years! Speak with a licensed Speech Language Pathologist about whether your child is an appropriate candidate for intervention.
Thank you Sage Speech and Learning for providing this answer. SAGE Speech & Learning provides in home, in school, and in clinic options. Sage Speech and Learning can be reached by phone: (404) 245-7981 or e-mail.  They are on FacebookInstagramPinterest, and LinkedIn.  

If you would like to ask an Expert a question, please fill out the following FORM.

The advice that you are being given is meant to assist with a problem, but since all information about the individual, is not known, it should not be taken as a definitive response. You should consult your personal provider, with specific problems.


LIKE THIS ARTICLESandy Springs Dunwoody Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville, Atlanta, and Perimeter. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville, Atlanta, and Perimeter! Sandy Springs Dunwoody Macaroni Kid is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of kid-friendly events on our event calendar. Have an event you'd like submitted to our calendar for consideration? Submit an event hereLike what you see here and want to get all the fun delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter for 411 on the local family fun. You can find Sandy Springs Dunwoody Macaroni Kid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.