Why is R so Tough to Teach Kids?
Global Education Therapy, formally known as Worldwide Speech, is the pioneer of online education, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. We have over 12 years of experience providing services online.
Why do many children AND adults have a difficult time pronouncing the “r” sound?
First, let’s talk about our speech machine. To create a speech sound, we push air out of our lungs, up through our throat, and out our mouth or nose. The vibration of our voicebox and movement of our articulators (e.g. tongue, teeth, lips, and jaw) change the airflow to produce different sounds.
So what makes “R” tough to learn?
Learning the “R” sound is a struggle for kids because it requires a unique tongue position that is difficult to teach. It also is not easy because other sounds in the word may influence the way the “R” sounds.
Look in the mirror and try saying these words slowly: Rain, Storm, Thunder
Did you notice how the “R” looks and feels different? In storm and thunder, the “R” sound is different because of the vowels next to it. There are six different vocalic combinations, [ar, air, ear, er, or, ire] which are collectively called vocalic R, r-controlled vowels, or vowel R. If “R” comes before the vowel, it remains a consonant. Altogether there are at least 32 different “R” sounds to consider as separate sounds!
The “R” sound is one of the last sounds to be mastered by children, many children can say a correct “R” sound by 5 ½ years old, but some don’t produce it until age 7. In general, if your child isn’t producing “R” by first grade, you should consult with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). An SLP can assess which of the 32 different “R” sounds your child consistently mispronounces to create therapy goals.
*Want to know more about how Global Education Therapy teaches the “R” sound to our students? Click HERE!
GET Help: Tips for Practicing “R”
You can help your child learn to hear the “R” sound by playing a game. Start by saying a word with “R” correctly or incorrectly (e.g. rabbit vs. wabbit). Ask your child if they can identify the word with the strong “R” sound.
If your child says “R” incorrectly, don’t speak negatively about it or make them repeat it correctly, instead model the correct pronunciation. For example, if your child says, “look it’s a wabbit,” you can say, “Yes that is a rabbit!” while emphasizing a correct “R” sound.
Have concerns about your child’s speech sounds?
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Still have questions? You can always reach out to Global Education Therapy! Go to Global Education Therapy for our:
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References
Bedsole, K. F., & Johnson, C. M. (2006). Why is “R” So Hard to Say? Answers to Questions Parents Ask About the “R” Sound. Retrieved from https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/102 RforParents.pdf
Hanks, H., & Hanks, H. (n.d.). Correcting the R Sound: A Primer for Parents. Retrieved from http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?p=1116
