Speech Issues at Nursery School

Updated on November 08, 2008
A.L. asks from Washington, DC
5 answers

My son now attends a wonderful nursery school. (This comes after removing him from his first school, after only 1 month because the teachers began handling the children questionably and the cleanliness of the facility left much to be desired) He now goes to a great little pre-school where they invite parents to come in anytime rather than keeping them out in the front waiting area forbidding them to even watch their children.

My son absolutely loves going to school now. He was placed in the 2-3 year old class upon his arrival at 20 months because he was fully potty trained, speaking clearly, and had mastered colors, shapes, the alphabet, and counting to 20. Well, he took a liking to the only other little boy in the class. However, the little boy has a severe lisp. After 2 months of being in school my son is now speaking with a slight lisp. He had previously showed no signs of a speech impediment. At first I thought he was just mirroring his new pal for several reasons. The other little boy is 2 turning 3 years old, is slightly bigger and more agile than my son, and hey he was the only other boy in a class of 7 kids. I am afraid this patterning will become more than just a passing phase. I think that my son's mimicking has now become a habit and he will develop a lisp even though it is not natural. Has anyone experienced this before? Is there anything I can do? Should I seek a speech therapist at this point? My son will be 2 in January and he is very advanced for his age. I don't want this to affect his development, especially since it is not natural for him to speak this way. Please help!! I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

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E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

When my daughter switched to the 2 year old room, she came home and started sucking her thumb. She hasn't sucked on her hand (she never thumb sucked) since she was a couple months old.

I just asked her why she was doing it and informed her that she doesn't suck her thumb. Fortunately, it was a one day event.

I would correct him and read to him and expose him to correct pronunciations. He will be picking up phrases and annoying habits from his peers throughout his life, you will have to learn to combat it.

Personally, I don't think a speech therapist is necessary. I had a lisp when I was a kid and they didn't even worry about it in school until I was 6 or 7. "Th"ing my "s"s did not destroy me. Your child doesn't even have a problem with lisping, just a bad habit.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.L.

answers from Washington DC on

I would definitely seek the advice of a therapist. If you live in DC contact the Early Intervention Program through the health department. They will send a speech and an occupational therapist to your home to evaluate him (for free). I was concerned about my daughter not sitting up at six months but the EIC put my mind at ease.

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A.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Hello, not sure where you live, but in out county, our public school system has a center where you can make an appointment for your son. They evaluate them, and set up a program if needed. It is important to get this addressed as young as possible. Check with your public school system. They want our children to be prepared for school. It is a wonderful resource. I was referred to our center, and the speech fear that his preschool teacher had, was a phase. What a relief.A.

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K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Sadly, I have no advice on your situation. HOWEVER, how did you potty train by 20 months. Please share. Good luck with the speech issues :)

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T.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I agree with Erin. Kids mimick each other, us, what they see and hear when we're out and about, TV ...everything. Like Erin says, just reinforce the correct pronounciation.

My 3 year old is doing a lot of mimicking of the girls in her class.... it is driving me batty. But I try the same tack. When it goes too far, I just remind her of her "nice voice" -- i guess the lesson of "being yourself" can never come too early!

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