4-1/2 year old imitating speech defects

Question

My 4-1/2 year old daughter, who has had excellent speech & language, has begun imitating speech defects she has heard on a show called "WonderPets". Specifically, she will stop saying her "r" sound. She's been doing this for about two weeks now, and it happens many times a day. Sometimes she will even say the sentence right, think about it, and drop all the "r"s when she repeats it. I don't think she is doing it for attention, I think she is having fun learning new ways to talk and playing with sounds. It happens so much that I am afraid it will become habitual. (And I'm embarrassed to say, I'm a speech-pathologist and don't quite know how to deal with this!) How should I respond when she does this? Is this something that 4 year-olds do, and will grow out of? Am I just being super-sensitive to it?

Thank you so much for helping,

Answer 1

Do you think that if you just ignore it it'll go away?  I mean she can make the /r/ sound, so it's not a matter of of needing artic therapy.  It kinda reminds me of when my friends and I practiced speaking with a British accent.  I understand how you feel though, I'm also a speech path.  People (friends/family) seem to have higher expectations for our children's ability to speak early, clearer, and in complete sentences!  Good luck!

Answer 2

She'll probably grow out of it, try putting her in a playgroup or something maybe instead of talking like Elmo she'll talk like the kids or teacher there.

Answer 3

So?  It's a phase, she'll be fine, she won't talk like that forever.  There will  be far worse phases to come I'm sure (as with all children).  I think it shows she's a good actress and imitator, that's a talent.  Don't stop letting her watch the show, she's just having fun, she doesn't need to be punished for that.

Answer 4

The easiest and best way to get your child to drop annoying habits like that is to ignore it.  When you give attention to something like that they are more prone to continue since they are getting your attention with it.  It sounds to me like it is just an experiment anyway.  

Answer 5

You should tell her not to talk like that. Make her say it right cause then it's gonna become a habit, & eventually what if she stays like that .. She's little, so you know how easy kids pick up & learn things .. Well, good luck !

Answer 6

I thought about not letting my daughter watch it either but she loves the show and like your daughter, she does speak well for her age.  I wouldn't worry about it.  You're right, she is playing with sounds and she does know the correct way to say it. She will be fine.

Answer 7

Stop letting her watch that show

Answer 8

It must be a phase they go through.  My 5 year old daughter has been doing the same thing!  She doesn't watch WonderPets any more (it's not on when we're home), but she does baby talk & such.  Very irritating!  I usually tell her that I hear her talking but I can't understand her and she'll have to say it right if she wants me to talk to her.  After that, I ignore everything said wrong.  It normally only takes one or two sentences before she says sorry and talks right.

Best of luck breaking this habit!