Are you looking for hacks to help kids who add, add, leave out, and reorganize words or sounds? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the learner to use a carrier phrase combined with a word containing the target sound.

2. Ensure that the learner can hear the difference between the sound as it should be made (target sound) and the way they are pronouncing it incorrectly.

3. Get the learner to raise a hand or clap hands when they hear the target sound pronounced during a sequence of isolated sound pronunciations (e.g.Jsl, lsh/,lrl, /ml, Ir/, /ti, /kl,lrl, /zl, lwl, In/, Ir/,etc.).

4. Record a spontaneous monologue given by the learner. Get them to listen to the recording and tally incorrect and correct pronunciations. The teacher should also listen to the recording, and the teacher and the learner should compare their analyses of the pronunciations.

5. Converse with the learner to explain what they need to do differently (e.g., use the /r/ sound instead of the /w/ sound). The teacher should be careful to use the sound that is being targeted and not the letter name (e.g., Ir/ not “r”).

6. Get the learner to stand up every time they hear the target sound pronounced accurately in contrast to the en-or sound (e.g., lwl, Ir/,

Ir/, lwl, lwl, lwl, Ir/, Ir/,etc.).

7. Get the learner to stand up every time they hear targeted words pronounced accurately when contrasted with inaccurate pronunciations (e.g., ”play, pay, pay, play,”etc.).

8. Ensure that the learner can hear the difference between words as they should be pronounced and the way words sound when incorrectly pronounced (e.g., sounds added or omitted).

9. Get the learner’s hearing reviewed if it has not been recently reviewed.

10. Select a peer who correctly pronounces the target sound or word to model for the learner.

11. Utilize a schematic drawing as a visual aid to show the learner how the mouth looks during the pronunciation of the target sound.

12. Get the learner to use phonics “fun” sheets to orally practice their sound. These are also excellent for home practice.

13. Read The Edvocate’s Guide to K-12 Speech Therapy.

14. Consider using a language development app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

15. Consider using an assistive technology designed to support students with articulation disorder.