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Tips for Saying the “F” and “V” Sounds
Photo Source: Photo Credit: harryalverson
Tips for Saying the “F” and “V” Sounds:
- Call the sound something that describes the hissing quality of the “f” (the angry cat sound) or the vibrating sound of the “v” (the vacuum sound). FYI: The “f” is a voiceless sound- your vocal cords do not vibrate when it’s produced in isolation. The “v” is a voiced sound – your vocal cords vibrate when it’s produced in isolation. Touch your voice box to try it out!
- Encourage the child to gently bite his lower lip with his upper teeth and then instruct him to blow.
- Use a tissue or hold hand in front of mouth while producing several long “f” sounds to draw attention to the “hissing” quality and continuous nature of the sounds.
- Tape tissue paper to the end of a pencil and encourage the child to move the paper in the wind.
- Touch the lower lip and bottom of the upper front teeth with a tongue depressor. Then, ask him to bring the upper teeth and lower lip together to touch where you touched.
I created “f” Sound Articulation Cards with visuals to remind children how to say the “f” sound.
These flashcards are exceptional because a colorful placement visual is included on each card! Such visuals provide extra support to students/children who may need reminders on where to place their articulators. Included in this product are 36 /f/ flashcards with placement visuals! Each card contains a placement visual for the teeth and bottom lip. These placement visuals are carefully positioned on each card to correspond to the location of the target /f/ sound. For instance, for words that start with /f/, the placement visual is located at the beginning of the word. For words that end with the /f/ sound, the placement visual is located at the end of the word. An additional Initial, Medial, and Final Position Card Visual is also included to help students better understand the location of the /f/ sound in words
I love to use picture books and stories to bombard my clients with their targets and find that they enjoy it too because there is less pressure to repeat the target on command. These are just some of the books I use – there’s a ton more:
Books to Target the “F” Sound:
*Amazon Affiliate Links included.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
This book is a bit long, so it’s probably best for older children.
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Great for opposites too!
How Do You Feel ?
Good for transitioning from single words to the phrase level because the phrase “How do you feel?” repeats throughout the book.
I created “v” Sound Articulation Cards with visuals to remind children how to say the “v” sound.
These flashcards are exceptional because a colorful placement visual is included on each card! Such visuals provide extra support to students/children who may need reminders on where to place their articulators. Included in this product are 36 /v/ flashcards with placement visuals! Each card contains a placement visual for the teeth and bottom lip. These placement visuals are carefully positioned on each card to correspond to the location of the target /v/ sound. For instance, for words that start with /v/, the placement visual is located at the beginning of the word. For words that end with the /v/ sound, the placement visual is located at the end of the word. An additional Initial, Medial, and Final Position Card Visual is also included to help students better understand the location of the /v/ sound in words.
I love to use picture books and stories to bombard my clients with their targets and find that they enjoy it too because there is less pressure to repeat the target on command. These are just some of the books I use – there’s a ton more:
Books to Target the “V” Sound:
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Good for targeting “v” in the initial position of words.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
The word “very” repeats throughout the book!
I’ll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Admittedly, when I first read this book – WAY before I had children – I thought there was a creepy aspect to it. Now as a mother to two young children, I realize its beauty and truth. Munsch was inspired to write this book after he and his wife suffered two still births. Life is a miracle and very precious.
As always, changing a pattern of speaking is challenging – remember to praise the process not the result.
Adapted from: Bleile, K. (2004).Manual of Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Infancy through Adulthood.Clifton Park: Thomson Delmar Learning.
I HIGHLY encourage using these tips under the guidance of an experienced speech language pathologist. This is because a speech language pathologist can provide models and troubleshoot and answer your questions. Kim Scanlon specializes in treating young children and adults who have articulation, phonological and language delays and disorders. She provides speech therapy in Bergen County, NJ. If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language skills, please do not hesitate to email: [email protected].
Kimberly Scanlon, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist, an author and a mother. As the owner of Scanlon Speech Therapy, LLC, a unique boutique practice in Bergen County, Kimberly embraces individuality and treats the whole person. Her goal is to spread compassion, hope, and some speech, language and literacy tips one moment, one person at a time. Her first book, My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development
