Front sounds: t, d, n, l, s and z

This guide is about six sounds: t as in toe, d as in dog, n as in no, l as in leg, s as in sun and z as in zoo. For n, the air goes out through the nose. l, s and z are later sounds than t, d and n. Word lists for n and l are in the nose sounds and l and r guides.

The ideas below fit into play, jobs around the house and trips out. The word lists are for English. You can use the same ideas in any language.

When children learn this

Many children say d and n by about 3; most say t, d and n by about 4.
Many children say l by about 4; most by about 5.
Many children say s by about 4 and a half; most say s and z by about 5.
Children learn sounds at different ages. Many say a sound in short words before they can say it in long words.

Common mix-ups

Many children say t for s ('tun' for 'sun') until about 3, and d for z ('doo' for 'zoo') until about 4. If it is still happening after about 5, mention it to the speech pathologist or your GP.
Some children say s and z with a th sound ('thun' for 'sun'). For some children this is a usual stage until about 4 and a half. If it is still happening after about 4 and a half, mention it to the speech pathologist or your GP.

Try this

While you play

Build a tower with blocks. Count the blocks as they go on.

Your child: Tix blocks!
You: Six blocks. You made a tower with six blocks.

Around the house

At bath time, name the things in the bath as your child picks them up.

Your child: Where my toap?
You: Here is the soap. Soap on your tummy, soap on your toes.

When you go out

At a sausage sizzle or a barbecue, talk about the food.

Your child: Me want a tausage.
You: A sausage. A sausage in bread, with sauce on top.

Words to use in your talk

Use these words in your own talk. Your child does not have to say them.

t

Easier words: toe, top, ten, tie, tap

Harder words: hat, boat, potato, teddy, tummy

d

Easier words: dog, duck, dig, dip, down

Harder words: bed, food, puddle, ladder, garden

s

Easier words: sun, sock, soap, sit, sea, sad

Harder words: bus, house, biscuit, pencil, sausage

Why it helps

When you say words with t, d, n, l, s and z the usual way in your own talk, your child hears how these sounds are used. Your child does not have to say the words after you or copy you.

When to get help

Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child's s sounds slushy, with air coming out the side. This is worth mentioning at any age.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child says the same word a different way each time.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child uses one sound in place of many different sounds.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is 4 or older and people who do not know them cannot understand much of what they say.

Safety and when to act

If your child stops using words or skills they had, or you have new worries, see your GP. Do not wait.
If your child is 3 or older and people who know them well understand very little of what they say, or your child is 2 or older and not putting two or more words together, see your GP or child health nurse for advice.
Hearing problems can affect talking. Ask your GP about a hearing test, especially after a lot of ear infections.
If your child stutters, contact a speech pathologist. Give your child time to finish. Do not use word lists or sound games with a child who stutters unless your speech pathologist says so.
Tell your GP if your child often coughs, chokes or gags when eating or drinking, has wet or gurgly breathing, keeps getting chest infections, or is losing weight. If food is stuck and your child cannot swallow, go to the nearest emergency department. If it is hard for them to breathe, call 000 and ask for an ambulance. If your child is choking and cannot cough or make a sound, start first aid and call 000.
Do not ask your child to say a word again and again. They may get frustrated.
You can do these ideas in any language. Learning more than one language does not cause talking problems.
These ideas do not replace a speech pathologist. Stay on the waitlist.

More help

Sources

Last checked 12 October 2026

Front sounds: t, d, n, l, s and z