My Toddler Has a Lisp
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published ASHA, AAP, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about my toddler has a lisp, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Lisps are very common in toddlers and preschoolers who are still learning to make certain sounds. Most children don't master the "s" sound until around age 4-5, so a lisp before then is usually developmentally normal. If your child still has a noticeable lisp after age 5, or if it's affecting their confidence, a speech evaluation can help.
Key takeaways
- Lisps are very common in toddlers and preschoolers who are still learning to make certain sounds. Most children don't master the "s" sound until around age 4-5, so a lisp before then is usually developmentally normal. If your child still has a noticeable lisp after age 5, or if it's affecting their confidence, a speech evaluation can help.
- Usually normal when: Your child is under 4 years old and has a lisp on "s" and "z" sounds but is otherwise speaking clearly.
- Call your doctor if: Your child is over 5 years old with a noticeable lisp that isn't improving.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to ASHA, AAP, CDC guidelines, lisps are very common in toddlers and preschoolers who are still learning to make certain sounds. Most children don't master the "s" sound until around age 4-5, so a lisp before then is usually developmentally normal. If your child still has a noticeable lisp after age 5, or if it's affecting their confidence, a speech evaluation can help. At 18 months-3 years, toddlers are just beginning to say words and simple sentences, and most sounds are still developing. It's completely normal for "s" sounds to come out as "th" (a frontal lisp) or to sound slushy at this age. Your child is learning to position their tongue correctly, and that takes time. Don't worry about correcting it now - just model correct speech and let development unfold. It is generally considered normal when your child is under 4 years old and has a lisp on "s" and "z" sounds but is otherwise speaking clearly. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child is over 5 years old with a noticeable lisp that isn't improving.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
18 months-3 years
Toddlers are just beginning to say words and simple sentences, and most sounds are still developing. It's completely normal for "s" sounds to come out as "th" (a frontal lisp) or to sound slushy at this age. Your child is learning to position their tongue correctly, and that takes time. Don't worry about correcting it now - just model correct speech and let development unfold.
3-4 years
Many preschoolers still have a lisp, especially on "s" and "z" sounds. The tongue is still learning precise placement, and some children push it forward between their teeth (frontal lisp) or let air escape over the sides (lateral lisp). If your child is speaking clearly otherwise and the lisp is their only speech issue, it's usually fine to wait. However, if they're hard to understand overall, a speech evaluation might be helpful.
4-5 years
By age 5, most children can make the "s" sound correctly, though a mild lisp can still linger. If your child has a persistent lisp after age 4.5-5, especially if it's noticeable to strangers or affecting their self-esteem, speech therapy can help. Therapy for a lisp is usually short-term and very effective. Speech-language pathologists use fun exercises to teach correct tongue placement.
5+ years
If your child is in kindergarten and still has a lisp, it's worth getting a speech evaluation. Lisps don't usually resolve on their own after age 5, but they respond very well to therapy. Left untreated, a lisp can sometimes persist into adulthood. The good news is that most kids correct a lisp in just a few months of therapy, and earlier treatment tends to work faster.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler has a lisp and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 4.5 years old and has a persistent, noticeable lisp on "s," "z," or "sh" sounds.
- Mention if your child's lisp is lateral (air escaping over the sides of the tongue, creating a slushy sound) - this type is less likely to resolve on its own.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child is under 4 years old and has a lisp on "s" and "z" sounds but is otherwise speaking clearly.
- Your child sometimes says "s" correctly and sometimes not - inconsistency is normal during the learning phase.
- Your child's lisp is mild and doesn't interfere with being understood by family or teachers.
- Your child just started talking recently and many sounds are still developing, including "s."
- Your child is over 4.5 years old and has a persistent, noticeable lisp on "s," "z," or "sh" sounds.
- Your child's lisp is lateral (air escaping over the sides of the tongue, creating a slushy sound) - this type is less likely to resolve on its own.
- Your child is frustrated by their speech or is being teased by peers about how they talk.
- Your child has a lisp along with other speech sound errors or is hard to understand overall.
- Your child is over 5 years old with a noticeable lisp that isn't improving.
- Your child's lisp is severe and strangers have trouble understanding them.
- Your child is avoiding talking or showing signs of low confidence because of their speech.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler has a lisp — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your child is under 4 years old and has a lisp on "s" and "z" sounds but is otherwise speaking clearly — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 18 months-3 years, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child is over 5 years old with a noticeable lisp that isn't improving.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is my toddler has a lisp normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler has a lisp?
When is my toddler has a lisp normal?
What causes my toddler has a lisp?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler has a lisp?
Is my toddler has a lisp normal at 18 months-3 years?
Is my toddler has a lisp normal at 3-4 years?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler has a lisp?
Does my toddler has a lisp go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Has a Lisp.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler has a lisp and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 4.5 years old and has a persistent, noticeable lisp on "s," "z," or "sh" sounds.
- Mention if your child's lisp is lateral (air escaping over the sides of the tongue, creating a slushy sound) - this type is less likely to resolve on its own.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is over 4.5 years old and has a persistent, noticeable lisp on "s," "z," or "sh" sounds.
- Your child's lisp is lateral (air escaping over the sides of the tongue, creating a slushy sound) - this type is less likely to resolve on its own.
- Your child is frustrated by their speech or is being teased by peers about how they talk.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child is over 5 years old with a noticeable lisp that isn't improving.
- Your child's lisp is severe and strangers have trouble understanding them.
- Your child is avoiding talking or showing signs of low confidence because of their speech.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of my toddler has a lisp are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child is over 5 years old with a noticeable lisp that isn't improving.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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