Omission

Omission (Deletion) is when a child deletes a speech sound from a word. 

Deleting sounds simplify the word, making it easier for children to pronounce.

Omissions can happen in many different ways as shown below.

1. Weak Syllable Omission

‘Banana’ /bə.næ.næ/  ->

'nana' [næ.næ]

2. Final Consonant Omission

‘Toad’ /toʊd/ -> ‘toe’ [toʊ]

One of the reasons why children omit sounds is to reduce the number of consonants in a consonant cluster. Consonant clusters are particularly hard for children to pronounce properly. Words like help, speak, and three can undergo omission. 

3. Omission of Fricative in Clusters

'Stop’ /stɑp/ -> 'top' [tɑp]

4. Cluster Reduction: Omission of more sonorant consonant

‘Plane’ /pleɪn/ -> 'pane' [peɪn]