Speech Sound Errors: Metathesis
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 Metathesis
Metathesis is when a child switches the order of sounds in a word. For example, they might say “pasghetti” instead of “spaghetti”, or “aminal” instead of “animal.” It’s a normal mistake some children make when they’re learning to talk.
Age of Elimination
It usually happens because the word is long or tricky to say, so the child mixes up the sounds to make it easier. It's common in young children and usually goes away on its own by around age 8.
*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 Metathesis
Model the correct word – Say the word correctly, clearly, and slowly. For example, “It’s spaghetti. Let’s say it together: spa-ghe-tti.”
Use repetition – Try using the correct word often in short phrases. Example: “Yum! Spaghetti for dinner. Spaghetti is yummy.”
Play listening games – Say two versions of a word (one correct, one mixed up), and ask your child which one is right. Example: “Is it animal or aminal?”
Break the word into parts – Help your child say the word slowly, one part at a time: “an-i-mal.”
Be patient and positive – Metathesis usually goes away as your child gets older. Give lots of praise when they try the correct word!
Helping your child with metathesis 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:
Mcleod, S (2009). Speech sound acquisition. In Bernthal, J. E., Bankson, N. W., & Flipsen, P. Articulation and phonological disorders: speech sound disorders in children. Pearson/Allyn & Bacon. Boston, MA.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (2024). Phonological Processes Chart Phonological Processes Description Example Whole Word/Syllable Processes Consonant Cluster Simplification (reduction). https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sped/pdf/sl-phon-process-chart.pdf
Suggested Resources
FREEBIE Stone Age Struggle: /b/ Sound
Practice your child’s /b/ sounds with dangerous dinos in a fun interactive game.
FREEBIE Shopping Trip: /b/ Sound
Practice your child’s /b/ sounds by competing to see who can fill their shopping basket first.
FREEBIE Monster Madness: /b/ Sound
Practice your child’s /b/ sounds with mad monsters in a fun interactive game.