Articulation Cues

Visual, verbal and tactile cues aid in comprehension and execution of phonemes during speech. Here are some of my favorite examples:

Lydia Ort, M.A., CCC-SLP, pediatric speech-language pathologist in Denver Colorado

The /th/ sound

  • Refer to as the Tongue Sandwich sound - our tongue is sandwiched between our teeth!

The /k/ and /g/ sound

  • Refer to as Coughing and Gulping sounds

  • Tongue goes back in our throat

  • Let out some air for /k/; turn voice on for /g/

Speech therapy visual cues for /k/ coughing and /g/ gulping sounds
Speech therapy visual cues for /k/ coughing and /g/ gulping sounds

The /r/ sound

  • Refer to as Pirate or Molar sound

  • The back sides of our tongue touch the insides of our top teeth (blue marking on tongue)

The /sh/ sound

  • Refer to as Quiet sound

  • Tongue up - lips round - hold the sound: SHHH

Free printable worksheet for /sh/ quiet sound speech therapy

The /l/ sound

  • Refer to as Singing sound

  • Tongue lifts up and touches behind teeth

  • Remember to smile or pull lips back slightly! If our lips are in a circle, we’ll make a /w/ sound

Speech therapy visual cues and practice materials for /l/ sound
Parent practicing speech exercises with child at home using visual materials

Example of articulation handouts

Turtle visuals and sentence strips

  • Increasing utterance length

  • Slowing rate of speech

  • Improving intelligibility