A 5-year-old child often speaks unclearly.

Speech articulation problems in a 5-year-old child may be caused by delayed language development, short lingual frenulum, hearing impairment, cleft lip and palate, intellectual disability, or other reasons. Appropriate treatment should be selected based on the underlying cause.

1. Delayed Language Development

When a child lacks stimulation from communication and a language-rich environment, it may lead to delayed language development, resulting in unclear or disfluent speech. Regular practice in vocabulary and language skills can help improve the child's communication abilities.

2. Short Lingual Frenulum (Tongue-Tie)

A short lingual frenulum restricts normal tongue movement. When the tongue cannot extend beyond the mouth or properly touch the upper and lower lips, symptoms such as inability to elevate the tongue, limited tongue mobility, and unclear speech may occur. Surgical correction of the lingual frenulum at a hospital can help improve these symptoms.

3. Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment may interfere with a child's ability to accurately imitate and understand speech sounds. Inability to clearly distinguish different phonemes can result in inaccurate pronunciation and may be accompanied by symptoms such as reduced hearing and difficulty perceiving surrounding sounds. After medical evaluation, wearing a hearing aid or receiving a cochlear implant can help restore hearing function.

4. Cleft Lip and Palate

Missing or separated tissues in the lip and palate can interfere with normal speech production, leading to unclear speech and possibly swallowing difficulties. It is recommended to undergo corrective surgeries such as cleft lip repair or cleft palate repair at a hospital to improve speech clarity.

5. Intellectual Disability

In cases of intellectual disability, the brain may not process information or receive commands normally, and cognitive abilities are typically impaired. This can lead to poor language function, lack of eye contact, and other symptoms. Intervention treatments such as cognitive training, speech therapy, and sensory integration therapy can be conducted at a medical facility.

It is recommended that children maintain healthy daily habits and ensure adequate rest. If unclear speech persists for an extended period, timely evaluation at a qualified medical institution is essential, along with prompt intervention measures.