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Before they can say it, they must hear that "Tea" and "Key" are different.
Before they can say it, they must hear that "Tea" and "Key" are different.
Exercise 1: The "Key vs. Tea" Challenge
Exercise 1: The "Key vs. Tea" Challenge
Goal: To teach the child that swapping the sound changes the meaning.
Instruction:
Get a real Key and a cup of Tea (or a teabag).
Place them on the table.
Tell the child: "I want the Key."
If they give you the Tea, look confused and say: "Oh no! This is Tea. I asked for the Key (make a clicking K sound at the back of throat)."
Repeat until they consistently give the correct item.
These exercises physically force the tongue into the right position.
These exercises physically force the tongue into the right position.
Exercise 2: The "Tongue Anchor" (Tactile Cue)
Exercise 2: The "Tongue Anchor" (Tactile Cue)
Goal: To physically stop the tongue tip from touching the roof of the mouth (which makes the T sound).
Instruction:
Wash your hands or use a flavoured lollipop/spoon handle.
Ask the child to open their mouth wide.
Gently place the lollipop/spoon on the tip of their tongue and hold it down behind their bottom teeth.
Ask them to say "Kah" while you hold the tip down.
Why it works: If the tip is stuck down, the back of the tongue has to go up to make the sound.
Exercise 3: The "Coughing Cat"
Exercise 3: The "Coughing Cat"
Goal: To stimulate the back of the throat muscles.
Instruction:
Pretend you have a hairball like a cat.
Make a gentle coughing sound: "K-K-K".
Turn the cough into a word: "K...K...Cat!"
Tip: Do this in front of a mirror so they can see their mouth stays open (T sound closes the mouth, K keeps it open).
Once they can make the sound alone, put it into easy words.
Once they can make the sound alone, put it into easy words.
Exercise 4: The "Open Mouth" Words
Exercise 4: The "Open Mouth" Words
Goal: Using vowels that help the K sound.
Instruction:
Start with words that have "Aw" or "Ah" sounds (Car, Caw, Go). These vowels naturally keep the tongue low and back.
Avoid words with "Ee" (Key, Geese) at the start, because "Ee" pulls the tongue forward, making it harder to say K.
The Game: "Go Car Go". Push a car back and forth. Every time you push, say "Go!"
Instruction for Mothers: The "3 Golden Rules" for Basket 1
Instruction for Mothers: The "3 Golden Rules" for Basket 1
Gravity is your Friend: If they are really stuck, have them lie on the floor on their back. Gravity pulls the tongue back naturally. Practice sounds lying down at bedtime.
The "Chinlock": If they keep closing their mouth to say "T" instead of "K", gently hold their chin down with your thumb and finger so their mouth stays open. You can't say "T" with your mouth wide open!
Don't drill "T" words: If their name is "Tom", don't practice that right now. Focus only on the K/G sounds to build the new muscle memory.
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