How to Teach S Blend Sound: Articulation Activities, and Word Lists for Effective Speech Therapy

An “s blend” sound is a consonant blend that begins with the “s” sound and is followed by another consonant sound. Some common “s blend” sounds include “sp,” “st,” “sk,” “sl,” “sm,” and “sn.” In speech therapy, these sounds may be referred to as “s clusters.”

To produce an “s blend” sound, you can start by producing the “s” sound, and then quickly transitioning to the following consonant sound. For example, to produce the “sp” sound, you would begin with the “s” sound and then quickly transition to the “p” sound by closing your lips together and then releasing them to create the plosive sound.

Here are few tips you can follow to teach the “S blend” sound:

Demonstrate the sound: Start by demonstrating the “S blend” sound for your child. Make the sound and have your child watch your lips and mouth movements. Explain that the sound is made by placing the tongue behind the top teeth and blowing air through the small gap between the tongue and the teeth.

Visual Cue: Show the child how to place the tip of their tongue behind their upper front teeth and then push air out through a narrow gap between the tongue and the roof of the mouth. You can use a visual cue such as a picture or flashcard of the specific “S blend” sound (e.g. “st,” “sp,” “sk”) to help your child remember the sound.

Understand the sound: Help your child understand that the “S blend” sound is a combination of the “S” sound with another consonant sound, made by placing the tongue behind the top teeth and blowing air through the small gap between the tongue and the teeth.

Practice Blowing: Help your child get used to the sensation of blowing out air with their mouth by having them practice blowing bubbles, blowing feathers across a table, or blowing out candles.

Practice Tongue Placement: Show your child how to position their tongue behind their top teeth and blow air through the small gap between their tongue and teeth to make the “S blend” sound.

Practice in Isolation: Once your child has mastered the correct tongue and mouth position, have them practice making the specific “S blend” sound (e.g. “st,” “sp,” “sk”) on its own without any other sounds.

Add Syllables: After your child has mastered the “S blend” sound in isolation, have them practice using it in different syllables, such as “sta,” “spi,” and “sku.” You can make it more fun by having them say words like “stink,” “sparkle,” and “skunk.”

Practice in Words: Once your child has mastered the “S blend” sound in syllables, have them practice using it in different words such as “star,” “spring,” and “sky.”

Practice in Phrases: After your child has mastered the “S blend” sound in words, have them practice using it in phrases like “big star,” “silly spider,” and “warm scarf.”

Practice in Sentences: Finally, have your child practice using the “S blend” sound in different sentences such as “I saw a sparkly star in the sky,” “The spider spun a sticky web,” and “The skateboard skidded on the pavement.”

Practice Everywhere: Encourage your child to practice using the “S blend” sound in different contexts, such as during playtime, mealtime, or while reading books. You can also make it more fun by having them use the “S blend” sound in different accents or dialects.

Free SP interactive audio flashcards featuring words with the “SP” sound words can be a useful tool for improving pronunciation and vocabulary.