What Are the First Sounds to Teach in Speech Therapy?

Introduction: The Building Blocks of Speech

Speech is a journey built sound by sound. For children with speech delays, articulation challenges, or phonological disorders, learning to produce sounds clearly is the first step toward effective communication. But which sounds should be taught first? And why does the sequence matter?

At Shaping Therapies, Thane, we use evidence-based strategies to help children master speech sounds in a structured way that supports long-term clarity and confidence. This blog explains the basics of sound development and how speech therapists decide which sounds to teach first.

Understanding Speech Sounds

Speech sounds are called phonemes — the smallest units of sound that make up words. English has about 44 phonemes, but children don’t learn them all at once. Speech development follows a natural order, and speech therapists work with this developmental sequence to ensure progress is smooth and sustainable.

There are two major categories of sounds:

• Early-developing sounds – typically mastered by ages 2–4
  
• Later-developing sounds – mastered after age 4, often requiring more focused therapy
  

First Sounds to Teach in Speech Therapy

Speech therapists generally start with early-developing sounds because:

• They are easier to produce
  
• They appear in everyday words and routines
  
• Mastery boosts confidence early on
  

Common first sounds include:

Sound	Example Words	Typical Age of Development
/m/	“mama,” “milk”	Around 1 year
/p/	“pop,” “pat”	2 years
/b/	“ball,” “bat”	2 years
/n/	“no,” “net”	2 years
/d/	“dog,” “dad”	2–3 years
/t/	“top,” “ten”	2–3 years

These are simple, bilabial and alveolar sounds that children often produce early because they require minimal tongue movement and are common in everyday speech.

Why This Order Matters

Teaching sounds in developmental order has clear advantages:

• Builds confidence: Early successes motivate children to keep practicing.
  
• Supports clarity: Early sounds are common in simple words, improving intelligibility quickly.
  
• Creates a foundation: Once basic sounds are mastered, children are ready for more complex sounds.
  

How Speech Therapists Teach Sounds

At Shaping Therapies, Thane, our approach to teaching first sounds includes:

1. Assessment: Understanding the child’s current sound repertoire.
   
2. Individualized plan: Selecting sounds that match the child’s developmental stage and needs.
   
3. Play-based practice: Using games, toys, and visual aids to make learning engaging.
   
4. Repetition and reinforcement: Frequent, fun practice to solidify learning.
   
5. Parent involvement: Giving parents strategies to practice at home.
   

Beyond the First Sounds: The Road Ahead

Once early sounds are mastered, speech therapy progresses to more complex sounds, clusters (like “bl” or “st”), and correct sound placement in longer words and sentences. This step-by-step approach ensures clarity, confidence, and lasting improvement.

Why Early Intervention is Key

Starting speech therapy early gives children the best chance to develop clear communication skills and prevent frustration, low confidence, or academic challenges later on. Early mastery of speech sounds forms the foundation for successful language development.

Conclusion: Every Sound Counts

Speech development is like building a tower—each sound learned is a block that supports the next level. By focusing on early-developing sounds first, therapists help children build a solid foundation for lifelong communication.

At Shaping Therapies, Thane, we combine expertise, compassion, and play-based learning to make this journey engaging and effective. If you’ve noticed your child struggling with speech or articulation, reach out to us today. Together, we’ll give your child the clarity and confidence they deserve.