How to Teach the F Sound
The F sound should be developed by age 6, according to the Iowa-Nebraska Norms. However, it is not uncommon for this sound to not emerge by the expected age. If that happens, a child is often referred to a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for an evaluation and therapy. Below are a few tips on how to teach the F sound and ideas for practice activities ⬇️
Teach the F Sound
Similar to labials and interdentals, the F sound is easy to teach because it is visible. To produce this sound, have the client bite their bottom lip and blow air forward. They can blow as hard as they want. Sometimes SLPs like to call this the “mad bunny sound,” thus some clients like to get a little dramatic with the airflow 😀
The V sound is just like F but voiced. Have the client bite their bottom lip and turn their voice on.
For tricky words, view my post on Articulation Therapy Techniques for Tricky Words.
Activities for Practicing the F Sound
When first teaching a sound, stick with words or phrases that are easy for the client and that they can say over and over. A few examples are below to teach the F sound.
- Play a version of I Spy in which you tell the client what to find and they say “found it” when they spot it
- Act out Jack and the Beanstalk and have the client say “fee, fi, fo, fum”
- Sing Old McDonald and pause to have the client fill in “farm” to finish the lyric “Old McDonald had a ___”
- Make a MadLibs and have the client fill in the blanks with target words that contain Th
View my articulation cards for F HERE. What elicitation techniques do you use for F? What are your favorite activities for F? Let us know below ⬇️