Sounds together: sp, tr, bl and more

This guide is about two sounds that sit together in a word, like sp in spoon, tr in tree and bl in blue. Many young children say only one of the two, so spoon sounds like poon. At any age, you can say the whole word back in your own talk.

The word lists are grouped by the s, l or r in the pair. 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 two sounds together, like bl in blue, by about 4. Pairs with an s in them, like sp in spoon, can take until about 5.
Children in preschool can still find long words and two sounds together hard.
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 leave out one of the two sounds ('poon' for 'spoon', 'bue' for 'blue') until about 4, or until about 5 when the pair has an s. If it is still happening after those ages, mention it to the speech pathologist or your GP.
Many children say w for r inside a pair ('twee' for 'tree') until about 6 to 7. If it is still happening after about 7, mention it to the speech pathologist or your GP.

Try this

While you play

Play with play dough. Roll it, squash it and make shapes.

Your child: A nake!
You: A snake! A long, thin snake.

Around the house

At breakfast, talk about the bowl, the spoon and the food.

Your child: Where my poon?
You: Here is your spoon. A spoon for your cereal.

When you go out

In the garden or at the park, look for birds, trees and flowers.

Your child: Bird up the tee!
You: The bird is up the tree. Right at the top of the tree.

Words to use in your talk

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

s

Easier words: spoon, snake, sky, smile, stop, swim

Harder words: star, nest, toast, scooter, spider, strawberry

l

Easier words: blue, clock, flag, plane, glue, plate

Harder words: blanket, flower, playground, glasses, aeroplane

r

Easier words: tree, frog, crab, drum, grape, train

Harder words: dragon, breakfast, grandma, umbrella, crocodile

Why it helps

When you say the whole word, with both sounds of the pair, in your own talk, your child hears how the two sounds go together. 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 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

Sounds together: sp, tr, bl and more