Should You Correct Your Child When They Speak Incorrectly?

When Your Child Speaks “Wrong” — What Should You Do?

If you've ever found yourself flinching slightly when your child says “I goed to the park” or “Him didn't do it,” you are not alone. Many caring parents feel torn between wanting to gently nudge their child toward proper grammar and not wanting to crush their confidence. Language mistakes can feel like bright red flags—but should we treat them that way?

The truth is, language learning is messy. It’s a gradual, non-linear process, and children between ages 6 and 12 are still very much in the phase of shaping, stretching, and playing with words. They test out phrases, mimic voices they've heard, and blend bits of language together in ways that might sound awkward—or even completely wrong—at first glance.

So, what does “correction” look like when it’s done with care? And when does it help, versus harm?

The Power of Natural Language Development

Children don't learn to speak through correction alone. In fact, research consistently shows that language acquisition happens most powerfully through immersion, conversation, and connection. That means daily routines—mealtimes, stories at bedtime, chatting in the car—are full of rich opportunities for your child to absorb grammar and vocabulary simply through exposure to adult models.

So when you hear a language mistake, know this: it often means your child is trying to apply a rule they’ve noticed. "I goed to the playground" is actually a sign they’ve internalized past-tense structure—they're just still learning about exceptions like "went." That's progress, not failure.

To Correct or Not to Correct?

It's tempting to jump in with a direct fix, especially when a child's mistake is repeated often. But how you respond can matter just as much as whether you respond. Correcting too often, or too harshly, can lead to self-consciousness or even reluctance to speak at all.

Instead, try to think of your role as that of a natural language guide rather than an editor. Modeling the correct phrase in a warm, nonchalant way can be far more effective than explicitly pointing out errors.

Here’s how that might look in practice:

• Child: “He runned super fast!”
• You: “Wow—he ran really fast? That’s amazing!”

Notice how the correction is embedded in enthusiasm, not judgment. Your child hears the correct version and absorbs it, without feeling corrected.

Understanding the Root of "Incorrect" Speech

Sometimes, persistent language errors might be part of something deeper, like a speech delay or a language processing difficulty. If you notice your child regularly struggles with sentence structure, vocabulary, or understanding instructions—even beyond age-appropriate levels—it might be helpful to explore the distinction between language delays versus language disorders.

In such cases, early support from a speech-language pathologist can make a significant difference. But even then, the spirit of encouragement and listening should remain your compass.

The Confidence Connection

Behind every grammar slip is a child trying to express their inner world. Focus too much on perfection, and they may begin to doubt their ability to communicate. That’s why affirming your child's efforts—even when their grammar isn’t perfect—matters deeply.

Helping your child speak with confidence isn't just about mechanics. It’s about connection. Using simple but powerful phrases, like those in this guide on encouraging speech clarity, can help build the communication bridge you both need.

Making Space for Playful Language

Children often try on new voices and expressions as part of their play. Perhaps your 7-year-old imitates a superhero with a deep, dramatic tone, or your 10-year-old experiments with slang picked up from classmates. This is more than play—it’s language development in context.

If this sounds familiar, you might enjoy this short read on why kids shift their voices while storytelling. These moments, while not textbook grammar lessons, are meaningful for emotional and linguistic growth.

To foster this kind of development at home, try integrating storytelling tools—books, audio stories, or even made-up family tales at dinner. One valuable resource is the LISN Kids App, which offers a wide range of engaging, age-appropriate audiobooks and original audio series for kids 3 to 12. You can find it on iOS and Android. Audiobooks can be an excellent way for kids to absorb fluent, expressive language while still enjoying screen-free play.

Final Thoughts: Listen More Than You Fix

In the end, helping your child grow as a communicator isn't about fixing every error. It's about showing them that their words matter—even the messy ones. When you choose patience over perfection, modeling over correction, you give them the tools to grow not only as speakers but as confident thinkers and storytellers.

And if you're looking for ways to further support their language development—especially with tricky vocabulary—this article on vocabulary-building activities provides easy-to-try ideas that actually work at home.

Lastly, remember that expressive language also includes emotions. If you're navigating emotional outbursts alongside grammar stumbles, this guide on emotional language skills may bring some much-needed clarity—and compassion.

You're doing the hard work of listening, teaching, and loving. And that means everything—mistakes and all.