It turns out that lisp in children can be overcome. Here's How!

Generally, children can speak clearly when they are 7 years old. If the child is still slurred at that age, it's a good idea for parents to try to help overcome it. The reason is, if not handled properly, lisp in children can continue into adulthood.

Usually slurred children cannot pronounce words that use several types of consonants, such as the letters D, L, N, R, S, T, or Z. The little guy had a hard time saying it. It is not impossible that this condition can affect his confidence and have an impact on his social life as a whole.

Various Causes of Lisp in Children

There are several things that can trigger children to have a lisp, such as:

Use of pacifiers or pacifiers

The habit of sucking on a pacifier can get his tongue used to being pushed forward and between his teeth. This can make him unable to pronounce the letters S and Z clearly.

Tongue-tie

Conditions that are often referred to ankyloglossia This occurs when the connective tissue that attaches under the tongue, until the bottom of the oral cavity is too short.

This condition limits the movement of the child's tongue, making it difficult for him to speak, eat, and swallow. Usually, this disorder occurs in newborns.

Tongue is large or protrudes too far from the teeth

This condition is also known as macroglossia. A large tongue can cause a child to have a lisp. This condition is known as interdental lisp.interdental) and often occurs in people with Down's syndrome.

How to Overcome Lisp in Children

Parents can apply the following ways to overcome lisp in children:

  • Get your child used to drinking with a straw. This sucking motion with a straw can train the motor strength of his mouth. It is important to develop his speaking ability.
  • Practice the position of the child's tongue and mouth when pronouncing letters that are difficult for him to pronounce correctly. So that your little one can remember it, invite him to practice in front of a mirror.
  • Invite children to play games that can train their oral motor strength, such as blowing a toy trumpet or blowing soapy water bubbles.
  • Ask the child to try to pronounce his wishes clearly, before obeying him.
  • Teach children as often as possible to pronounce words from letters that cannot be pronounced clearly.

As a precaution, it is recommended to limit or avoid the use of pacifiers. If necessary, you can choose a pacifier with the appropriate size for the age or size of your little one's mouth.

Just use the pacifier only when he is going to sleep, then remove the pacifier after your little one is asleep. Avoid letting him use the pacifier all the time. However, it is better to keep it away from the pacifier when the child is 18 months old.

If Mom and Dad are worried about your little one's lisp, it is advisable to take him to a speech therapy center. If necessary, ask the doctor about medical treatment that can be done to overcome it, such as surgery frenuloplasty if your little one experiences tongue tie.