My child has a lisp and says س and ص like “th”. What can we do?
Bloomtivo answers
Many children under 6 have a lisp that improves on its own; from about age 5 to 6, if it is still clear, ask your GP or health visitor about NHS speech and language therapy. Meanwhile, practise “teeth together, tongue behind the teeth” with a mirror for 2 minutes a day, and tell the Quran teacher, who will be patient with س, ص and ز.
Reviewed by Sondos Hassan, Bloomtivo teacher · Updated
↓ The full answer
A lisp affects “s” and “z” sounds, so in Arabic it shows up on س, ص and ز, which may sound like ث or ذ. It is common, and it is not a sign your child is reading carelessly.
When to get professional help
Age
What to do
Under 4–5
Often normal; model the sound clearly and wait
5–6 and still lisping
Ask your GP, health visitor or school about a speech and language therapy (SLT) referral
Any age, if it affects confidence or other sounds too
Ask for an SLT assessment sooner
Home practice (2 minutes a day)
Mirror: teeth gently together, lips smiling, tongue tip behind the bottom front teeth.
Snake sound: a long “sssss” through the teeth, tongue staying inside.
Syllables:سَا سِي سُو, slowly.
Quran words:النَّاسِ (An-Nas), سُبْحَانَ.
In Quran lessons
Tell the teacher about the lisp, so they correct gently and do not over-correct.
Focus on the letters your child can say well, and keep confidence high.
If your child sees a speech therapist, share the therapist’s tips with the teacher so everyone uses the same method.
Reassure your child
Remind them that Allah rewards effort: the one who struggles with the Quran has a double reward (Sahih Muslim 798).
Teacher’s tip: never ask your child to repeat a lisped word many times in a row. Two calm attempts, then move on; frustration makes the lisp worse.
Start with 2 free trial lessons. If your child does not get on with the teacher, we change the teacher and the trial lessons stay free until your child is comfortable. After that, you choose a paid plan that fits your child.
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