Are you looking for hacks to help kids who add, add, leave out, and reorganize words or sounds? If so, keep reading.
1. Get the student to use a carrier phrase combined with a word containing the target sound.
2. Ensure that the student can hear the difference between the sound as it should be made (target sound) and the way they are pronouncing it incorrectly.
3. Get the student to raise a hand or clap hands when they hear the target sound pronounced during a sequence of isolated sound pronunciations (e.g.Jsl, lsh/,lrl, /ml, Ir/, /ti, /kl,lrl, /zl, lwl, In/, Ir/,etc.).
4. Record a spontaneous monologue given by the student. Get them to listen to the recording and tally incorrect and correct pronunciations. The teacher should also listen to the recording, and the teacher and the student should compare their analyses of the pronunciations.
5. Converse with the student to explain what they need to do differently (e.g., use the /r/ sound instead of the /w/ sound). The teacher should be careful to use the sound that is being targeted and not the letter name (e.g., Ir/ not “r”).
6. Get the student to stand up every time they hear the target sound pronounced accurately in contrast to the en-or sound (e.g., lwl, Ir/,
Ir/, lwl, lwl, lwl, Ir/, Ir/,etc.).
7. Get the student to stand up every time they hear targeted words pronounced accurately when contrasted with inaccurate pronunciations (e.g., ”play, pay, pay, play,”etc.).
8. Ensure that the student can hear the difference between words as they should be pronounced and the way words sound when incorrectly pronounced (e.g., sounds added or omitted).
9. Get the student’s hearing reviewed if it has not been recently reviewed.
10. Select a peer who correctly pronounces the target sound or word to model for the student.
11. Utilize a schematic drawing as a visual aid to show the student how the mouth looks during the pronunciation of the target sound.
12. Get the student to use phonics “fun” sheets to orally practice their sound. These are also excellent for home practice.
13. Read The Edvocate’s Guide to K-12 Speech Therapy.
14. Consider using a language development app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
15. Consider using an assistive technology designed to support students with articulation disorder.
