From the sample, which phoneme would be appropriate to target as an expand goal?

• A. /s/
• B. /ʤ/
• C. /ɹ/
• D. /l/

Answer: (B)

Expanding a child’s phoneme set means choosing a target that adds a new, meaningful level of complexity to their current production, building toward a broader and more functional inventory. The voiced palato-alveolar affricate /ʤ/ is a solid pick for this kind of expansion because it combines a stop release with a fricative component, introducing both manner and timing complexity in a way that still can be approached with cues from sounds the child already handles. It serves as a middle-step that broadens the repertoire beyond simple fricatives or liquids, without leaping to a much later or more challenging sound.

In contrast, a pure fricative like /s/ would offer less expansion if frication is already present in the child’s system, and the liquids /l/ or /ɹ/ tend to be later and more motorically demanding, often requiring more development before they are appropriate as expansion targets. Targeting /ʤ/ thus provides a meaningful advancement in the child’s phonemic inventory and sets up opportunities for generalization across contexts.