Speech Sound Errors: Prevocalic Voicing
What is a Phonological Process
A phonological process is a pattern young children use to simplify speech as they learn to talk. Since some sounds are harder to say than others, children might change them to make speaking easier. These processes are normal and usually disappear as the child grows older and gains more control over their speech.
What is Prevocalic Voicing
Prevocalic voicing happens when a child changes a voiceless sound (like "p" or "t") into a voiced sound (like "b" or "d") at the beginning of words. For example, they might say "bat" instead of "pat" or "dame" instead of "tame."
Age of Elimination
Broadly, prevocalic voicing should be eliminated somewhere around 3 years of age*.
Examples include:
Prevocalic Voicing ‘p’: e.g., ‘b’ -> ‘p’ as in ‘pig’ becomes ‘big’
Prevocalic Voicing ‘t’ e.g., ‘t’ -> ‘d’ as in ‘tame’ becomes ‘dame’
*Please note these ages of elimination are intended as a general guide only. Other sources can change age ranges by six months to a year. Phonological processes are a murky area of speech pathology.
Fixing Prevocalic Voicing
Model Correct Sounds: Clearly say words with the correct sounds. Emphasize the beginning sounds. Gently recast their words back correctly to them.
Use Minimal Pairs: Practice with pairs of words that are similar but start with a voiced or voiceless sound. Show the difference and ask your child to repeat.
Sound Practice: Practice saying the target sounds with your child. Start with the correct sound alone (like "p-p-p"), then in simple words (like "pat"), and then in sentences.
Games and Activities: Use fun activities like matching games or storytelling to practice the correct sounds in words.
Praise and Encouragement: Always praise your child for trying, even if they don’t get it right every time.
Helping your child with prevocalic voicing can be fun and engaging. With patience and practice, they'll start using the correct sounds in no time!
Please note the above information is general in nature and is not intended as professional medical advice. Please seek an appointment with a registered speech-language pathologist if you are at all worried about your child's development.
References:
ASHA. (2022). Selected Phonological Processes. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/articulation-and-phonology/selected-phonological-processes/
Bowen, C. (2011). Table 3 - Elimination of Phonological Processes. Speech-Language-Therapy.com. https://www.speech-language-therapy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:table3&catid=11:admin&Itemid=117
Suggested Resources
Stone Age Struggle: Prevocalic Voicing ($0.50)
Practice eliminating various prevocalic voicing errors with dangerous dinos in a fun interactive game of minimal pairs.
Shopping Trip: Prevocalic Voicing($0.50)
Practice eliminating various prevocalic voicing errors with minimal pairs by competing to see who can fill their shopping basket first.
Monster Madness: Prevocalic Voicing ($0.50)
Practice eliminating various prevocalic voicing errors with mad monsters in a fun interactive game of minimal pairs.