Help! My Child Can’t Say “K”! Is This Normal?

As a speech and language therapist, one of the most common questions I get from parents of toddlers is: “My child can’t say the sound ‘k’. Is that normal, or should I be worried?”

At age three, it’s very typical for children still to be working on certain sounds. Their speech isn’t perfect yet, and that’s absolutely fine! But there are a few patterns I pay close attention to when deciding whether a child is on track, or whether it’s time to recommend a speech assessment.

One of the key things I look at is whether a child is fronting or backing their sounds.

What is Fronting?

Fronting happens when a child replaces a sound that’s made at the back of the mouth (like /k/ or /g/) with a sound that’s made at the front (like /t/ or /d/).

For example:

• Saying “tat” instead of “cat”

• Saying “doe” instead of “go”

This is a very common and expected speech pattern in younger children. By around three-and-a-half, most children start to grow out of it naturally. So if your three-year-old is fronting, I usually recommend patience and modelling the correct sound, more often than not, they’ll catch up on their own.

What is Backing?

Backing is when the opposite happens: a child takes a sound that should be made at the front of the mouth (like /t/ or /d/) and pushes it to the back (like /k/ or /g/).

For example:

• Saying “goor” instead of “door”

• Saying “key” instead of “tea”

Unlike fronting, backing is not typical at any age. When I hear a child consistently backing sounds, that’s a clear sign to me that it’s worth referring them for a speech and language assessment.

When to Wait vs. When to Refer

• Fronting (e.g., “tat” for “cat”) → usually normal at age three, and often resolves on its own by age four. I normally suggest waiting, modelling, and keeping an eye on progress.

• Backing (e.g., “goor” for “door”) → not typical at age three (or at any age). If I hear this pattern, I recommend a referral to a speech and language therapist.

Summary

If your child is three and can’t yet say the “k” sound, don’t panic, it’s often part of typical development. But if you’re hearing patterns like backing, or if you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts and check in with a speech and language therapist. Early support can make a real difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child be able to say the “k” sound?
Most children can say “k” and “g” sounds correctly by around 3½ years old. At age three, it’s common for them to replace these sounds with a “t” or “d” for example saying “tat” for “cat”. This pattern, called fronting, usually resolves on its own.

Is it normal for a 3-year-old to say “tat” instead of “cat”?
Yes! This is a very typical speech error at this age. Many children go through this stage while their speech sounds are still developing. By around age four, most children grow out of it naturally.

What does it mean if my child says “goor” for “door”?
This is called backing, where a sound that should be made at the front of the mouth is moved to the back. Unlike fronting, backing is not typical at any age. If your child is backing sounds, it’s a good idea to check in with a speech and language therapist.

When should I see a speech and language therapist?
If your child is still fronting after their fourth birthday, or if you notice backing (such as saying “goor” for “door”), it’s best to seek professional advice. If you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts, an assessment can give you peace of mind.

How to Find a Speech Therapist in South West London (Wandsworth, Battersea & Clapham)

Finding the right speech and language therapist (SLT) for your child can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to start. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different ways to access speech therapy in South West London, whether through the NHS or privately, so you know what your options are.

Accessing NHS Speech and Language Therapy in South West London

The NHS provides speech and language therapy services for children, but the referral process can vary slightly depending on your local borough. Here are the main routes:

1. Self-Referral

In many parts of South West London, including Wandsworth, Battersea, and Clapham, parents and carers can refer their preschool child directly to NHS speech and language therapy services. This usually involves completing a referral form on your local NHS trust’s website. You don’t need a GP to make this referral, although you’ll often be asked to provide details about your child’s development and communication needs.

2. Referral Through a Professional

If you’re unsure about the process, or if your local NHS trust does not accept self-referrals, another professional can make the referral on your behalf. This could be:

• Your GP

• Your child’s health visitor (particularly for children under five)

• Your child’s nursery or school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

These professionals can help by identifying your child’s needs and supporting the referral to NHS services.

⚠️ Important to note: NHS waiting times can be long, particularly in busy London boroughs such as Wandsworth. While the service is free, some families choose to explore private options while they wait.

Finding a Private Speech and Language Therapist in Wandsworth, Battersea & Clapham

If you’d like to access support more quickly, or prefer more flexibility in session times, you may wish to look for a private SLT. Here are some reliable ways to find one:

1. ASLTIP (Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice)

ASLTIP is the main directory for independent SLTs in the UK. Their website lets you search for qualified, HCPC-registered therapists by postcode or specialist area. This is a great place to start if you want reassurance that the therapist is fully accredited.

2. Local Recommendations

Word of mouth can be powerful, many families find therapists through recommendations from friends, nurseries, schools, or local parent groups in Battersea, Clapham, or wider Wandsworth.

3. Private Practices in Your Area

Some therapists work independently, while others run practices that cover South West London. Our team at South West Speech Therapy is based in Wandsworth and supports families across Battersea, Clapham, and the wider South West London area. We offer assessment and therapy sessions tailored to your child’s needs, with flexible scheduling and ongoing support for families navigating both NHS and private services.

NHS and Private Therapy: Can You Do Both?

Yes, you can. Choosing private therapy does not stop you from accessing NHS services. Many of our families do both:

• Some see us while they are waiting for their NHS therapy to begin.

• Others pause private sessions once NHS therapy starts, and then return to us if their NHS support pauses or finishes.

• Some families run NHS and private therapy side by side, so their child gets consistent input.

This flexible approach means your child can receive support when they need it most, without having to “pick” one system over the other.

Which Option is Right for You?

There’s no single “best” route, some families choose to wait for NHS support, while others start with private therapy and then transition into NHS services, or use both at the same time. The most important thing is that your child gets the help they need to reach their full potential.

If you’re looking for a speech and language therapist in Wandsworth, Battersea, Clapham, or the wider South West London area, please feel free to get in touch with us at South West Speech Therapy. We’re happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

✅ Key Takeaway:

• NHS referrals can be made by parents (self-referral), GPs, health visitors, or school staff.

• Private SLTs can be found via ASLTIP, local recommendations, or practices like ours in Wandsworth.

• Accessing private therapy does not affect your right to NHS therapy many families use both together, or move between them depending on availability.

• South West Speech Therapy is based in Wandsworth and supports families across Battersea, Clapham, and South West London.

Prescription for Speech Delay?

What is the prescription for late talkers?

I get asked by so many parents to give them a prescription or a checklist of what to do to help their speech delayed little one. I have resisted creating this, as there is so much pressure on parents and judgment, but the beauty of writing it in a post like this, is that I can explain to you that I am not here to judge & this post is designed for you to take what you need! It’s not a rule book, but simply a guide, for those who want it, based on my 12+ years practicing as a speech & language therapist .

This post is not for you if you prefer to go with the flow, and watch and wait – which of course is totally valid. This post is for the parents who want to take action and want to know they are doing all the things, and, have the bandwidth to do so!

I have broken the ‘speech delay prescription’ down by ‘dosage’ (am I taking this medical metaphor too far?!) and there is a checklist attached to the bottom of this post, for those who like that kind of thing.

Before we dive in, a quick note on ‘speech delay’….

Is speech delay the right term?  I use this term because it is the language that most parents use. However, clinically this means a very specific thing. In the world of speech & language therapy the term ‘speech delay’ actually refers to a child who is delayed in developing their sounds. The more accurate terms to use here would be ‘speech & language delay’, ‘communication differences’, ‘late talker’, because these terms refer to more than just the sounds themselves. Generally when parents ask me about their ‘speech delayed child’ they are telling me that their child is using a limited number/ no words. This can be due to speech sounds alone but more often than not it is more likely a language or communication difficulty.

If you have any questions on the above please let me know, the whole reason I am here is to support families – not add more confusion!

Ok onto the dose!

Daily (everyday):

-       Use props/ objects: when talking to your child, particularly around transitions or when asking questions, use props. For example: hold up 2 snack options when asking your child what they want, label the items and pause to allow them to make a choice.

-       Replace questions with comments: instead of asking ‘what’s this?’ tell them say ‘it’s a …’.

-       Introduce baby sign/ Makaton sign: choose 5 words that are really meaningful for your little one (they should be things they love), and learn the sign for these. Model the sign every time you say the word.

Weekly (2-5 times a week):

-       Read/ expose your little one to books and stories: this can be audiobooks or physical books, ideally you would expose them to some physical books and not totally rely on audiobooks.

-       Screen free 1:1 time: spend 10-30 minutes with your little one 1:1 with no screens/ background noise or other distractions. Follow their lead and interests in play and comment on what they are doing.

Monthly:

-       Track: keep a record of how your little one is developing over time. Write down their interests (in terms of play, books, food), how long they like to play with their favourite activity, and the way they are communicating (signs, hand leading, pointing, words) & how many things they communicate for (how many words/ signs they have).

-       Choose 10 new special words: choose 10 words of items, food, games, activities that your little one loves but does not yet have a way of asking for. Learn the baby sign/ Makaton sign for these words and model the words often across the month.

Every 2-3 months:

-       Check in with your health visitor/ GP to see where you are on the waitlist for services. I would expect within this time frame you should have had some contact (assuming a referral has been made for support), so if you have not it is worth a call to see where you are.