Articulation Development in Children Aged Three to Nine Years

Results of articulation screening tests conducted annually by many Speech Therapists in the Queensland Education Department indicated that children were acquiring proficiency in articulatory skills at an earlier age than would be expected from previously established overseas norms. The articulation of 1756 Brisbane Metropolitan children, ranging in age from three to nine years, was evaluted on a series of 64 colour photographs which was designed to test 24 consonants in initial, medial and final positions. The results indicate consistently earlier age levels for correct sound usage than the previous ‘classical’ American studies, although the general sequence of development is similar.