• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

how to help kids with articulation (you CAN help!)

home / Activities / foundations / speaking / how to help kids with articulation (you CAN help!)
3.7K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

As an educator and parent, I’ve always had an ear for the way my kiddos learned language, spoke, and pronounced their words.

Their articulation–they way they say words–has always been a top priority in their at-home at at-school learning for us.

And though I’ve written about stages of development in speech sounds, created many games for practicing speech sounds, I’m certainly not a trained speech pathologist.

help kids with articulationI have, in fact, been a bit intimidated by all things articulation because there’s so much involved.ย  However, after a conference with Owen’s teacher this fall, I’ve found a resource that we have really grown to lean on–and love–over her: Articulation Station.

Though it’s an app for the iPad, the site is amazing–and I’m thrilled to share what we’re doing and how we’re using it.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • How to Help Kids With Articulation (You CAN Help!):ย My O-Man has had longtime struggles with articulation; he went from 0-60mph in no time as far as speaking is concerned.

help kids with articulation

We. Love. Articulation Station. Period.

 

Where Maddy waited until she was well after two years old to start talking to make sure she was absolutely, totally, and completely correct before she spokeโ€”she would even whisper a word sometimes before she said it out loudโ€”Owen was different.

Owen let it all spill outโ€”fast and furiousโ€”with very little care to how it sounded to anyone.

Whether it was one word or many, a sentence or a story, Owen left us guessing, wincing, and wondering what he was saying more often than not.

I did some research, created some games, created some more games, and did the best I could with the resources I had to help him along the way.

We had school Speech and Language Pathologists listen to him, talk to him, and give us feedback about his language development, and each time, they assured us it was developmental.ย ย  That because his articulation struggles were not in any way affecting his learning, that he was Good. To. Go.

This year, however, we are ready for him to get some support.

Though he is working so hardโ€”reading like a champโ€”curious about the world, questioning whatโ€™s around him, and comprehending what heโ€™s reading, we are worried that if he doesnโ€™t get some help with his articulation hang-ups, heโ€™ll begin to withdraw, slow down, or hesitate to share his smart opinions and cool ideas.

help kids with articulation

ย Owen works on /r/ — playing with sentences.

Weโ€™ve got a bunch in the works with his schoolโ€”they are great and wonderful and want to see our boy do well, just like we doโ€”but until then, we are also doing what we can around here.

And thatโ€™s where Articulation Station comes into play.

Owenโ€™s teacher suggested this app, and it was a true gift.

Our boy struggles with his rโ€™sโ€”initial, medial, and final โ€“or, -ire, and some โ€“ar words.

Instead of pronouncing โ€˜fourโ€™ so that it rhymes with โ€˜doorโ€™ or โ€˜moreโ€™, Owenโ€™s โ€˜fourโ€™ sounds more like โ€˜furโ€™; his โ€˜boardโ€™ sounds more like โ€˜birdโ€™; his โ€˜horseโ€™ sounds more like โ€˜hearseโ€™.

When I saw him hold four fingers up to someone a few weeks ago, to show the guy that he meant โ€˜fourโ€™ย  and not โ€˜furโ€™, I realized that it was for sure time to move forward with some change for him.

We started using Articulation Station.

help kids with articulation

We keep track of Owen’s (and soon Cora’s) progress. . .

help kids with articulation

. . . and we can add more sound resources whenever we want.

And as far as apps go, itโ€™s totally not cheap, but you can download the app with /p/ resources and then buy additional sound work as needed.ย  Though itโ€™s like closer to $40 for the Pro Version, I like this pricing schedule–we paid about $6 for the /r/ resources, and it’s awesome because we have what we need.

One day after Owenโ€™s conference, I downloaded the app.ย  Then I called him over to the couch, and I said, Heyโ€”we found this new app that I think youโ€™ll love. It will help us help you to say your words more clearly. You know how sometimes your mouth has a hard time moving in a way to say your โ€“or sounds, like โ€˜fourโ€™, โ€˜moreโ€™, and โ€˜storeโ€™?ย ย  Letโ€™s take a look.We explored it together.ipad apps for teaching and learning

I wasnโ€™t going to pretend to be a speech and language expertโ€”he knows Iโ€™m not and I know Iโ€™m not.ย  So we watched the โ€˜how toโ€™ tutorial on the app together, and we chose the sounds he needs help articulating.

We chose /r/ and focused on initial, medial, and final sounds: โ€“or, -ire, and โ€“er.ย  Just like we saw in the tutorial, we did for Owen.

Then we played. We chose the flashcards that first day, but since then, weโ€™ve used the sentences and stories.

We’ve covered almost all of the /r/ sounds, even the ones he knows because we all know success feels good.

Weโ€™ve recorded and listened, listened and recorded, practiced and practiced some more.

Weโ€™ve kept it light, and weโ€™ve kept it easy.ย  Short spurtsโ€”10-20 minutes at a shot and thatโ€™s it.

No matter what your childโ€™s speech challenge, it seems like this app can offer some support.ย  And what Iโ€™ve realized is that the creator, Heidi Hanks, has a website full of ideas and resourcesโ€”including printable speech and language development information and articulation practice worksheetsโ€”that anyone can use at any time.

Weโ€™re not finished, by any means, with Articulation Station.ย ย  And weโ€™ll pull Cora in the mix as soon as the holidays are overโ€”which she is totally thrilled about.ย  She could definitely use some support with her r- and s- sounds.

What I love, love, love about the app, and why Iโ€™m glad I spent the money on it:

  • the layout: itโ€™s clear, clean, and totally pleasing on the eyes;
  • the images: varied and bright, with words in an easy-to-read font directly below each image (great for early readers!);
  • the clarity of instructions: watching the video helped us to really understand how to navigate the site;
  • the range of โ€˜gameโ€™ options: the flashcards, sentences, and stories;
  • the โ€˜recordโ€™ option: it helps Owen to first touch a flashcard and hear the word pronounced by the lady, practice saying the word a few times, and then to record himself saying the word.ย  He compares.ย  And he changesโ€”the very best he canโ€”afterward. It may be the first time he actually heard himself say these words incorrectly, though heโ€™s known for a while something has been off;
  • the score-keeping: my game-playa likes this, so I like it.ย  We practice until he gets a green check, and the times he doesnโ€™t itโ€™s still a good gauge;
  • the wide variety of sounds covered: from those tricky, tricky digraphs to blends and the infamous r-, the sounds are all covered, along with more, Iโ€™m sure;
  • the fun factor: My boy wants to play. Bottom line, something keeps bringing him back. And I’m right there with him.

Itโ€™s been great. Itโ€™s given Owen and I a chance to sit down together for a โ€˜dateโ€™ almost every dayโ€”or every other dayโ€”and we both look forward to it.

Yes, I am *this* close to finishing my iPad app Round-Up (It’s coming! It’s coming!), but it’s taking me a whole lot longer than I’d hoped because, well, this family is kinda digging the digital literacy thing.

And there are quite a few pretty awesome apps for sneaky learning out there.

Do you know of a super-awesome app that has made you want to sing, dance, and shout its awesomeness from a mountain top? Please share! I’d love to check it out!

fyi: Huge and happy thanks to Owenโ€™s fabulous teacher for sharing this app with us and to Heidi Hanks of Little Bee Speech for sharing her expertise with the world in this app and on her site, Mommy Speech Therapy. I love, love, love that she is empowering other parents to support their children’s learning at home. AWE-some.

 

Want a few more alphabet activities? Check out:

  • backyard alphabet hunt
  • homemade alphabet book
  • leafy letter learning
  • ABC hunt
  • on the road ABC hunt
  • lowercase ABC hunt
  • build your own bingo: uppercase and lowercase match
  • ABC cards and clothespin match
  • alphabet letter splash
  • alphabingo (play with lowercase letters)
  • alphabet letter lids
  • leafy outdoor alphabet hunt
  • build your own board game
  • clothespin letter match
  • 10 fun ways to learn theย alphabet

 

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

Follow amy mascott @teachmama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

You May Also Like...

  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
  • everything free and awesome online to do while kids are home: classes, crafts, virtual tours and more
    everything free and awesome online to do while kids are home: classes, crafts,…

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:holiday fun fact and joke lunchbox notes coverholiday fun fact AND joke lunchbox notes (with hanukkah!)
Next Post:take time to give this holiday: #blog4cause

Sidebar

amy mascott profile blog

join the coolest club around:

View
Open
Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
Open
Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

our books

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Amazon

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
Open
Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

Copyright © 2023 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 14
3.7K shares