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.