My son is almost 6, a real sweetie peetie, and very bright. His speech is just fine except for his R's. They come out 'w's for the most part. Any tricks to get him to practice? I'm not terribly concerned about it, but it bothers him occasionally when a one of his friends can't understand exactly what he's saying.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance, folks!
Found this link - http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?p=1116
It recommends an evaluation (school may provide), but also gives some info on the sound itself.
Just weally, weally, WEALLY enjoy it! Lol
My youngest (7) still has trouble with the R sound sometimes but it's gotten much better in the past year. I've asked about it at school many times and had him evaluated and they won't provide any services for this because it's considered age appropriate through first grade.
Anyway...a friend who runs a pre-school mentioned some sort of peanut butter under the tongue trick. These blogs have some neat ideas and info.
http://slptobe.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/r-you-ready/
http://msjocelynspeech.com/?p=886
I agree with everyone who says this is a later developing sound, however, not every kid "gets it" on their own. My son is in high school with a student who still has this issue, and the parents have shrugged it off.
I applaud your efforts, and that you are staying on top of it. My mom turned it into a game and made me say "red rabbit runs" before I could have something simple, like a cup of juice or a cookie. It was no big deal for either one of us, I didn't have to get it perfectly, I just had to practice the sound.
I was just in with the speech therapist today to discuss my daughters speech goals. She is going to be six later this year and has issues with a few different sounds, R being one of them. They told me that they won't even being to teach the R sound until she is in 2nd or 3rd grade. She told me that with time my daughter will learn to say it on her own and most likely will not need speech intervention regarding the letter R.
I realize that you feel you want to teach your son to speak properly, but take comfort in knowing that this is a normal delay for many children and it is something that only time will correct. Try not to give him a complex about it.
What does the school say? By 6, most kids should be able to say the R sound. I am guessing he can't say the th sound either? Most kids can't until about 7. I would ask the teacher first...
Seems R gives lots of kids trouble. No need to worry he will get it.
There is an order that kids develop their sounds. If the school is not concerned than you should not be either.
I would talk to the school as well as his doctor. It depends on what the problem is. I went to college with a girl that had therapy for it because the muscles in her mouth were not as strong. Another had mentioned that she just hd problems moving her mouth correctly and once she got the motion right, she had no problem. When my oldest were in kendergarten, they had a classmate that also sounded w instead of r, by the end of 1st grade he was able to make the r.
R's are one the later developing sounds -- usually by 6 or 7 at the latest ...My DS was in speech therapy for about 9 years and R's were one of his trouble spots & living in Massachusetts didn't help...but I digress....his speech therapist used to make him practice and concentrate on rolling his tongue up to make the R sound...If it makes you feel better, to be on the safe side, have him evaluated by the school or a private speech therapist/pathologist.
Good luck
