You may not be familiar with the term, but phonology, or the understanding of the phonemes (sounds) that make up language, plays an important role in your toddler’s speech development. Let’s look at it in some detail and discuss how you can make sure your child is hitting their milestones in this area.

So, what are phonemes?

Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in any language. The English language has 44 of them. As you might expect, the word ‘cat’ has three: /k/, /a/, and /t/. Each language has a unique set of phonemes.

Why do phonemes matter to my child’s language development?

Phonemes are the building blocks of the words your child is trying to say when they want to speak to you. As they learn to recognise or produce different phonemes, they can use them to form words. This is important for their vocabulary and general understanding of language.

Additionally, phonemic awareness, or the ability to identify and manipulate phonemes, is a key predictor of reading success. Children who have strong phonemic awareness skills are better able to decode and recognise words, which is an important element for being competent at reading and spelling.

Phonemic awareness, the ability to identify and manipulate phonemes, also greatly enhances their reading ability. Children with strong knowledge of phonemes can more easily recognise words, which is vital for both reading and correct spelling.

How can I make sure they’re phoneme and phonologically aware?

Unii suggests these four simple and fun ways:

Make sure you read with your toddler often. Children love storytime, and it is a wonderful opportunity to both bond with them and help them develop their phonological awareness. Choose books with clear, simple language and lots of repetition. Sound out the phonemes as you read. Ask your child to show you the pictures of words that begin with a certain sound, or have them recite the words you say.

Take time out in the land of make-believe.

Playing pretend involves so much creativity and imagination that it supports language development generally. Naturally, it can also help with phoneme and phonology development.

Sing songs and nursery rhymes with your child, and play some sound games.

Lyrics and rhymes were written to sound good and repeat time and again. Use this to your advantage as you try to support your child's phoneme and phonology development. Repetitive sounds and patterns can help children recognise and distinguish different phonemes. Fun sound games can also support phoneme and phonology development. Think of how “I Spy” could be played using sounds instead of colours and objects.

What are phonemes and phonology in toddler speech?

From Unii’s Toddler Speech Journey, here’s what parents need to know about phonemes and phonological development.