Understanding Frontal and Lateral Lisps in Young Children: A Parent’s Guide

If you’ve noticed your child saying “thnake” instead of “snake” or producing a slushy-sounding “s,” you’re not alone. Lisps are one of the most common speech patterns children experience in the early years. The good news? In many cases, they’re nothing to worry about. But as a parent, it helps to know what’s going on, what to listen for, and how to support your child in gentle, encouraging ways.

Let’s break down what frontal and lateral lisps are, when they’re typical, and how you can help at home.

What Are Frontal and Lateral Lisps?

A frontal lisp happens when the tongue pushes too far forward during speech, especially when saying “s” and “z” sounds. Instead of “sun”, your child might say “thun”. You might even spot their tongue poking out between their teeth. It’s a common speech pattern many children go through when they’re first learning to talk.

A lateral lisp, on the other hand, is when the air escapes out the sides of the tongue. This gives the “s” or “z” a wet, slushy sound – almost like a soft spray. It tends to sound more distorted than a frontal lisp and often sticks around longer without support.

Both types affect how clearly those “s” and “z” sounds come out – but they happen for different reasons, and we support them slightly differently too.

What Causes a Lisp?

There isn’t always one clear cause. Sometimes it’s just the way a child has learned to say a sound. Other times, a lisp may be linked to things like:

• Thumb sucking or prolonged dummy use

• A tongue that naturally sits forward in the mouth

• A habit of pushing the tongue against or between the teeth when talking

• Family history of speech patterns (yes, lisps can run in families!)

Most of the time, a lisp doesn’t mean there’s anything “wrong” – it’s just a speech pattern that may need a little extra attention over time.

When Should My Child Be Saying “S” and “Z” Clearly?

Here’s the part many parents find reassuring: the “s” and “z” sounds are usually among the last sounds to develop. Lots of children don’t say them clearly until they’re around 4 years old.

That means if your three-year-old has a bit of a lisp, it might still be totally normal and part of their natural speech development. Many children outgrow a mild frontal lisp without needing any intervention at all.

That said, if your child is 5 or older and still has a strong lisp, especially if it’s lateral (slushy-sounding), it might be a good time to get some support from a speech therapist. But don’t panic – early support can make a big difference, and there are lots of positive things you can do at home too.

Parent/Carer Ideas to Support Your Child at Home

You don’t need to run speech drills or become a therapist to help your child. In fact, the best thing you can do is keep speech support relaxed, fun, and part of everyday life. Here are some simple strategies that make a big difference:

Stay Positive and Patient

A lisp isn’t something to “fix” overnight. Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. Let your child know you love hearing what they have to say, even if the sounds aren’t perfect yet.

Model the Correct Sounds

If your child says “thnake”, you can respond with, “Yes! The snake is slithering!” That way, you’re gently modelling the correct sound without correcting them directly. No pressure – just exposure.

Use Visual Tools

Mirrors are brilliant! Try making silly “s” faces in the mirror together. Show your child how your tongue stays behind your teeth when you say “sss” like a snake. Sometimes seeing it makes it click.

Make It Fun

Turn it into a game! Play with snakes, make up tongue twisters, read stories filled with “s” and “z” sounds, or try silly sound-based games. Keep things playful so your child enjoys the experience.

Gently Reduce Oral Habits

If your child still uses a dummy, bottle, or sucks their thumb, now might be the time to start weaning off. These habits can sometimes contribute to lisps by encouraging a forward tongue posture.

Let Them Talk

Focus on what your child is saying rather than how. If you’re constantly correcting, they might clam up. The more they talk and play with language, the more confident they’ll become.

When to Seek Extra Support

Every child is different. If you’re unsure whether your child’s speech needs professional help, trust your instincts. If they’re 5 or older and still have a noticeable lisp, or if the lisp is making it hard for others to understand them, a speech and language therapist can help guide you through the next steps.

Support can be playful, encouraging, and surprisingly effective. And remember – you’re not alone. Plenty of families go through this stage, and most children make fantastic progress with the right support in place.

In Summary

A frontal or lateral lisp doesn’t define your child – it’s just one part of how they’re learning to speak. Whether it’s a temporary phase or needs a bit of support, your calm encouragement, consistent modelling, and gentle practice can go a long way.

Let your child take the lead. Be their biggest cheerleader. And if you ever need a bit of guidance, there’s plenty of help available to get you both moving in the right direction.