-R

How to make this sound:

  • Base of tongue BACK (toward throat)

  • Sides of tongue UP

  • Voice on


This page is homework for R after vowels. Homework for R before vowels is here.

Tips:

  • Contrast the error with the target.
    Ex: "You said     wed. That word is red. See how I used my tongue, instead of using my lips? Red."

  • If your child says "W" instead of "R," try having them hold a toothy smile as they say the word to prevent lip rounding (they won't need to do this forever). Ex: "Smile, show me your teeth! We are going to say RED, and our tongue is going to do the work, we aren't going to let our lips help us with this word. Keep smiling, here we go!" Using a mirror can help with this.

Empathetic Note:

A few things make "R" extra tricky:

1) It is NOT a very visual sound (it's hard for kids to see what your tongue is doing, unlike "TH" or "L.")

2) Did you know there are lots of ways people produce the sound "R"?? There are principles everyone follows to make an "R" sound, but the tongue movement is a little less clear-cut than for other sounds. Helping children say "R" is about helping them find THEIR best way to say "R."

3) Unlike most sounds in English, "R" changes a bit depending on where it is in the word. You might notice your child can say "R" in some words but not others (e.g. maybe they can say red but not teacher).


This information is intended to allow yourself and your child some emotional slack if they are struggling to learn "R." That said, don't get discouraged--they can learn! 💪

Ways to make this homework easier:

  • Decrease the speed (keep your voice on, but say the sounds in the words slowly)

  • Decrease length of utterance (ex: If they can't say "Red" correctly, have them just say "R")

  • Model the word before each of their attempts.

  • Say the word at the same time as them, with them watching your mouth.

  • Give more feedback, after each production (ex: "Try again, you used your lips; this time use your tongue" or "You said "red" with a good "R" sound!)

  • Switch to modeling the practice words (and emphasizing the target sound) instead of having them produce the word. Then move to having them rate your productions (giving you a thumbs up or down as you say words correctly or incorrectly).

Ways to make this homework more challenging:

  • Increase the speed (no speed-talking necessary, but add natural intonation and speed to their productions)

  • Increase length of utterance (if they can say the word, see if they can use the word in a phrase, then small sentence, then short sentence, then in conversation)

  • Give less feedback; wait until they are done (ex: "You said 7 out of 10 of those words with a great "R" sound!")

  • Expand beyond these relatively simple words. Find more words here or here or while reading out loud together. (If you practice in other ways than the weekly assignments above, that's great! You can still click on the homework above and just add a couple words about what you did in the optional "comments" section.)