A child who replaces a labial consonant with an apical consonant displays what type of phonological process?

When a child replaces a labial consonant, such as 'p' or 'b', with an apical consonant, such as 't' or 'd', this is referred to as apicalization. Apicalization occurs when the point of articulation shifts from a bilabial (involving both lips) to an apical position (where the tongue tip is used). This change not only highlights the child's developmental stages in speech, demonstrating how they may not yet have fully acquired the necessary motor control and placement for producing bilabials.

Apicalization specifically indicates an adjustment in how sounds are produced, reflecting the evolving understanding of consonants by a child. Understanding this process is crucial for speech-language pathologists, as it guides intervention strategies tailored to support the child’s correct sound production.