Understanding the /G/ Sound
The /G/ sound is the voiced counterpart of the /K/ sound—essentially, it's the same tongue movement but with your voice turned on! This sound is typically acquired early, usually between the ages of 2-3 years.
So, what makes the /G/ sound unique? It's a velar sound, meaning your tongue lifts in the back of your mouth to touch the soft palate, or velum. The back of your tongue rises while the tongue tip stays low. This can be a bit tricky for some children, as they need to coordinate moving the back of their tongue up while keeping the front part down behind their teeth.
Visuals and tactile prompts can be incredibly helpful. For example, try placing a small cracker or piece of cereal behind your child’s bottom teeth. Ask them to hold it in place with their tongue tip, ensuring it stays behind the teeth. Then, have them attempt to produce the /G/ sound. This helps them understand the correct tongue position for this sound.
If your child is working on /G/ or you want to start practicing it at home, here are some functional words to incorporate during mealtime, play, TV time, or outings:
🐐 (goat)
🚦 (go)
👻 (ghost)
⛽ (gas)
🎸 (guitar)
🏌️ (golf)
👧 (girl)
🥇 (gold)
🗑️ (garbage)
🪿 (goose)
👍 (good)
Have questions or need further assistance? Feel free to reach out! Email me at jbachurski@speech-essentials.com.
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