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Tips to Make the "K" Sound

 

According to developmental norms, this sound is expected to be mastered by children between the ages of  2 1/2 -4 years. *Expectations vary depending on complexity of word and the position of the sound in the word. ( initial final, middle, with another sound in a "blend") 
 

The /k/ sound is very similar to the /g/ sound because they both use the same mouth position. Both are stop consonants, which means the airflow while producing the sound is first stopped, and then released. /K/ is different because it is an unvoiced sound – the only sound you hear when making it is the sound the air makes when you release it. To make the /k/ sound, put the back of your tongue against the top of your mouth towards the back on what is called your soft palate. With your tongue in this position, draw air through your mouth and release it by lowering your tongue. This unvoiced release of air is the /k/ sound.

 

Practicing at home with your child is a great way to reinforce the correct pronunciation of sounds and to track your child’s ability and progress. Here are some tried-and-true speech therapist tips to do with your little one:

 

  • Verbal cues

When practicing specific sounds with your child, it is important to start by correctly articulating the individual sound. This helps your child understand where you are focusing and gives them an example to imitate. Start by repeating the sound clearly and slowly for your child: “/k/, /k/, /k/.” After your child masters the single sound, try combining it with vowels to form simple syllables, such as “ka, ka, ka,” “kay, kay, kay” and “kee, kee, kee.”

 

  • Physical Cues

Some kids have trouble getting their tongue to the right spot in the back of their mouth. To make this easier, lay down on your backs with your child. From this position, the tongue naturally falls closer to the back of the mouth (thanks, gravity!) Have your little one try to say the /k/ sound while lying like this. Once she gets the hang of it, have her try again standing up.

 

  • Tactile Cues

Since the /k/ sound is an unvoiced stop, it produces a big puff of air from your mouth when pronounced correctly (definitely bigger than the similar /g/ sound makes.) Have your child hold his hand in front of your mouth as you make the /k/ sound to feel the air that you expel. Then encourage him to feel his own puff of breath as he creates the sound himself. Another useful method to help kids master the /k/ sound is by using a tongue depressor to help guide the child’s tongue into the correct position. However, this should only be done by a certified children’s speech therapist. The technique has proven very effective and is used by many therapists. If your child needs further help, a licensed speech therapist will be able to use techniques like this and recommend additional solutions.

 

 How To teach The "G" Sound

 

The /g/ sound and the /k/ sound are very similar and use the same mouth position. So what makes them different? The /g/ sound is a voiced sound and the /k/ sound is unvoiced. That means that your vocal cords are vibrating as air is passed through the mouth to make the /g/ sound. Position the back of your tongue at the near the back of the roof of your mouth, on what is called the soft palate. When you allow voiced air to come through, it is stopped by your tongue and then released when you lower your tongue from the top of your mouth. This is the /g/ sound.

 

Practicing sounds with your child is a fun and educational way to spend time with your little one. By focusing first on sounds, then syllables, and finally words, sentences and even conversations, you can help foster your child’s ability to effectively communicate. This is also a great way to keep track of your child’s progress and ability so that you can identify whether they are ahead, average, or perhaps a little behind.

 

Here are some great tips for getting the /g/ sound with your child:

 

  • Verbal cues

When your child is learning a particular sound, it is important for them to have a clear understanding of what the sound is and how it sounds. Communicate this to your little one by clearly and slowly pronouncing the single sound for your child: “/g/, /g/, /g/.” They will begin to imitate you and try to make the sound themselves. Once they master the individual sound, move on to simple syllables by adding vowels to the /g/ sound, such as “goo, goo, goo”, “ga, ga, ga”, and “go, go, go.” Now your toddler is on his way to /g/ words!

 

  • Physical Cues

For some kids, it can be difficult to figure out where their tongue should go and how to get it there for this sound. One solution is to have them lie on their back and then try to make the sound. Since gravity naturally pulls the tongue further back when they are in this position, it is easier for them to make the correct tongue-palate contact. Once they can produce the /g/ sound while lying down, have them practice it again standing up. Another trick for the /g/ sound is to try gargling water. This strengthens the tongue muscles and puts their tongue in the correct position for the /g/ and /k/ .

 

  • Tactile Cues

Since /g/ is a voiced sound, your vocal cords vibrate as you say it. Have your child feel this by putting their hand over your throat as you articulate the sound. It will be brief, but they should be able to feel the vibrations. Have them try this with their own voice to see if they are pronouncing the /g/ sound correctly.

 

  • Awesome /g/ Activity

There’s a reason why “gurgle” starts with the letter “g.” You use the same inner-mouth movements to gurgle as when you make the /g/ sound. If your child has demonstrated that he is able to gurgle—like when he brushes his teeth—you might try asking him to gurgle without any water. The motion of raising the back of the tongue to the soft palate that he makes when he’s “gurgling” is the same motion he needs to make the /g/ sound.

 

(Source: www.chicagospeechtherapy.com)