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Exercise 1: The "Lazy vs. Lifter" Game
Exercise 1: The "Lazy vs. Lifter" Game
Goal: To help them hear the difference between the "Lazy" sounds (W, Y) and the "Strong" sounds (L, R).
Instruction:
The Characters: Draw a picture of a Sleeping Cat (Lazy sound) and a Weightlifter (Strong sound).
The Game: Tell the child: "When I use my strong tongue, point to the Weightlifter. When I use my lazy lips, point to the Sleeping Cat."
The Words:
Say "Wwww-ed" (Child points to Cat).
Say "Rrrrr-ed" (Child points to Weightlifter).
Say "Yyyy-ellow" (Child points to Cat).
Say "Lllll-ellow" (Child points to Weightlifter).
These sounds require the tongue to work against gravity.
These sounds require the tongue to work against gravity.
Exercise 2: The "Sticky Spot" (For 'L' Sound)
Exercise 2: The "Sticky Spot" (For 'L' Sound)
Goal: To teach the tongue tip to touch the "Alveolar Ridge" (the bumpy bit behind the top teeth).
Instruction:
The Spot: Put a tiny dab of chocolate spread, jam, or peanut butter on the bumpy skin right behind their top front teeth.
The Lick: Ask them to "Lick the spot" with the very tip of their tongue.
The Sound: While their tongue is touching the spot, ask them to make a sound: "La... La... La".
Visual Check: Use a mirror. If you can see the underside of their tongue, they are doing it right!
Exercise 3: The "Smiling Tiger" (For 'R' Sound)
Exercise 3: The "Smiling Tiger" (For 'R' Sound)
Goal: To stop the lips from rounding (which makes the 'W' sound).
Instruction:
The Problem: When we say "Wabbit", our lips make a small 'O' circle. We need to break that circle.
The Fix: Ask the child to give you a huge, cheesy smile (showing teeth).
The Roar: Keep the smile frozen! Now try to growl like a tiger: "Grrrrrr".
Why it works: You cannot say "W" if you are smiling. The smile forces the tongue to pull back and do the work.
Transitioning from sounds to words.
Transitioning from sounds to words.
Exercise 4: The "Lion's Yawn" (L words)
Exercise 4: The "Lion's Yawn" (L words)
Goal: To practice the L sound with a wide-open mouth.
Instruction:
Sing "La La La" like an opera singer.
Move to words that start with a wide mouth vowel (Like "Lion", "Lamp", "Large").
Avoid: Don't start with "Little" or "Lemon" as these require more mouth movement. Keep it big and open!
Exercise 5: The "Pirate's Hook" (R words)
Exercise 5: The "Pirate's Hook" (R words)
Goal: To practice the 'R' at the end of words (often easier than the start).
Instruction:
Pretend to be pirates.
Practice saying words that end in 'R' by growling the end.
Words: "Ca-rrrr" (Car), "Doo-rrrr" (Door), "Bea-rrrr" (Bear).
Once they master the end R, move to the start R (Red, Run).
Instruction for Mothers: The "3 Golden Rules" for Basket 3
Instruction for Mothers: The "3 Golden Rules" for Basket 3
Don't Panic on 'R': The 'R' sound is the hardest sound in the English language. It is normal for children to struggle with this until they are 5 or 6 years old. If your child is 3 and says "Wabbit", just model the right word. If they are 7, start these exercises .
Watch the Lips: For 'R' and 'L', the lips should be still or smiling. If the lips move forward (kissy face), they are making a W. Gently touch the corners of their mouth to remind them to smile.
The "Tongue Gym": These sounds need muscle strength. Licking lollipops, licking ice cream cones, or licking excess chocolate off their lips helps build the tongue strength needed for L and R.
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