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

The “s” sound is a voiceless alveolar fricative, which means that it is produced by forcing air through a narrow opening between the tongue and the alveolar ridge, creating a friction-like noise. In speech therapy, the “s” sound is sometimes referred to as the “voiceless alveolar sibilant” or simply the “sibilant.”

To produce the “s” sound, you can start by placing the tip of your tongue close to the alveolar ridge, which is the bony ridge behind your upper front teeth. Keep your tongue flat and your lips relaxed, and exhale air through your mouth while forcing the air between your tongue and the alveolar ridge to create the fricative sound. It is important to note that the “s” sound can vary depending on the dialect and the surrounding sounds.

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

Demonstrate the sound: Start by demonstrating the “S” sound for your child. Make the sound and have your child watch your lips and mouth movements. Explain that the sound is made by bringing the tongue close to the roof of the mouth and forcing air through a small space between 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 an “S” to help your child remember the sound.

Understand the sound: Help your child understand that the “S” sound is a consonant made by bringing the tongue close to the roof of the mouth and forcing air through a small space between 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 close to the roof of their mouth and force air through a small space between their teeth to make the “S” sound. You can make it more fun by having them imitate snake sounds or ocean waves while using the “S” sound.

Practice in Isolation: Once your child has mastered the correct tongue and mouth position, have them practice making the “S” sound on its own without any other sounds.

Add Syllables: After your child has mastered the “S” sound in isolation, have them practice using it in different syllables, such as “sa,” “se,” and “so.” You can make it more fun by having them say words like “silly,” “sassy,” and “sizzle.”

Practice in Words: Once your child has mastered the “S” sound in syllables, have them practice using it in different words such as “sun,” “sister,” and “soup.”

Practice in Phrases: After your child has mastered the “S” sound in words, have them practice using it in phrases like “big sun,” “silly sister,” and “yummy soup.”

Practice in Sentences: Finally, have your child practice using the “S” sound in different sentences such as “The sun is shining,” “My sister is silly,” and “The soup is hot.”

Practice Everywhere: Encourage your child to practice using the “S” 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” sound in different accents or dialects.

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