The Role of Tongue Placement in Speech Development

The Role of Tongue Placement in Speech Development

Proper tongue placement is essential for clear and accurate speech. The tongue plays a crucial role in forming sounds, controlling airflow, and articulating words, and incorrect tongue positioning can lead to speech sound errors, articulation difficulties, and unclear pronunciation.

For children struggling with speech clarity, learning correct tongue placement through speech therapy exercises can significantly improve articulation and communication skills.

This guide will explore how tongue placement affects speech development, common speech errors caused by incorrect tongue positioning, and effective exercises to improve speech clarity.

How Tongue Placement Affects Speech Sounds

Each speech sound requires the tongue to be in a specific position within the mouth. If the tongue is misplaced or lacks coordination, certain sounds may be distorted, unclear, or completely omitted.

Here’s how tongue placement impacts different speech sounds:

1. Front Sounds (T, D, N, L, S, Z)

✔ The tongue touches the roof of the mouth behind the front teeth.
✔ If the tongue sticks out too far, it can cause a lisp on S and Z sounds.

2. Back Sounds (K, G, NG)

✔ The tongue raises toward the soft palate (back of the mouth).
✔ If the tongue stays too far forward, a child may substitute T for K (saying “tat” instead of “cat”).

3. R Sound

✔ The tongue lifts and either curls slightly (retroflexed) or bunches up in the back of the mouth.
✔ Many children struggle with R because it requires tongue tension and control.

4. TH Sounds (Thin, This)

✔ The tongue extends slightly between the teeth for “TH” sounds.
✔ If the tongue is too far back, it may sound like S or D instead.

Since the tongue moves rapidly between these positions in speech, proper tongue strength and coordination are necessary for clear articulation.

Common Speech Errors Caused by Incorrect Tongue Placement

When tongue placement is incorrect, it can lead to speech sound errors such as:

1. Lisping (S and Z Sound Errors)

🔹 Frontal Lisp: The tongue sticks out between the teeth, producing a “th” sound instead of S (e.g., “thun” instead of “sun”).
🔹 Lateral Lisp: Air escapes from the sides of the tongue, making S and Z sound slushy or unclear.

✅ Correction: Teach the child to keep the tongue behind the teeth when saying S or Z.

2. R Sound Substitutions (W for R Errors)

🔹 Many children replace R with W (e.g., “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”) because the tongue is too relaxed or in the wrong position.

✅ Correction: Strengthen tongue control and teach the correct bunched or retroflexed R position.

3. Fronting (K and G Sound Errors)

🔹 Some children pronounce K and G sounds too far forward, saying “tat” instead of “cat” or “dood” instead of “good.”

✅ Correction: Encourage the tongue to lift in the back of the mouth for proper K and G sounds.

4. Difficulty with TH Sounds

🔹 Some children say S or F instead of TH (e.g., “fink” instead of “think”) because they don’t position the tongue between the teeth.

✅ Correction: Practice lightly sticking the tongue out between the teeth while saying TH sounds.

How Speech Therapy Helps with Tongue Placement

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) helps children develop correct tongue placement through:

1. Visual and Tactile Cues

✔ Mirror Exercises: Helps children see their tongue placement.
✔ Hand Signals: Using a finger to show where the tongue should go.
✔ Touch Cues: Gently tapping the tongue to guide placement.

📌 Example: If a child lisps, a speech therapist may place a tongue depressor behind the teeth to remind the tongue to stay inside the mouth for S sounds.

2. Oral Motor Exercises to Strengthen the Tongue

✔ Tongue Push-Ups: Pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
✔ Side-to-Side Tongue Movement: Improves tongue control.
✔ Lollipop or Popsicle Licking: Encourages tongue movement in all directions.

📌 Example: If a child struggles with R, practicing tongue lifting and curling can help them achieve the correct position.

3. Speech Sound Drills and Word Practice

✔ Isolated Sounds: Practicing “Sss” or “Rrr” alone before adding them to words.
✔ Word Repetition: Practicing target words like “sun,” “rabbit,” or “cat”.
✔ Sentence Practice: Gradually incorporating the sound into natural speech.

📌 Example: A child working on S sounds may practice “snake,” “silly,” “Sam” before moving to sentences like “Sam saw a silly snake.”

Fun Exercises to Improve Tongue Placement at Home

Parents can reinforce speech therapy by practicing fun tongue placement activities at home:

1. “Taming the Snake” (S Sound)

✅ Have your child pretend to be a snake and say “ssss” while keeping the tongue behind their teeth.
✅ Use a mirror to watch tongue placement.

2. “Roaring Like a Lion” (R Sound)

✅ Have your child practice “rrrr” like a growling lion to strengthen the tongue.
✅ Encourage curling the tongue slightly or bunching it in the back of the mouth.

3. “Straw Drinking Challenge”

✅ Drinking through a straw strengthens tongue muscles for better articulation.
✅ Use thick liquids (like a smoothie) for extra tongue resistance.

4. “Bubble Blowing for Stronger Breath Control”

✅ Blowing bubbles helps children learn to control airflow for speech sounds.
✅ Encourage long, steady breaths to improve sound clarity.

5. “Lollipop Tongue Placement Game”

✅ Place a lollipop or Popsicle on different parts of the mouth and have your child touch it with their tongue.
✅ This strengthens tongue awareness and mobility.

When to Seek Speech Therapy for Tongue Placement Issues

Consider speech therapy if your child:

🔴 Struggles with R, S, TH, K, or G sounds beyond the expected age.
🔴 Has a persistent lisp after age 5.
🔴 Has difficulty coordinating tongue movements for clear speech.
🔴 Substitutes W for R (e.g., “wabbit” for “rabbit”) past age 6-7.
🔴 Has trouble eating, drinking, or swallowing due to tongue control issues.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can provide targeted exercises and professional guidance to correct tongue placement and improve speech clarity.

Final Thoughts

Proper tongue placement is essential for clear, confident speech. When children struggle with speech sounds due to incorrect tongue positioning, speech therapy provides effective techniques to improve articulation, pronunciation, and communication skills.

By practicing oral motor exercises, tongue placement techniques, and fun speech drills, children can strengthen their tongue control and achieve clearer speech over time.

If your child struggles with speech clarity due to tongue placement issues, early intervention with a speech therapist can make a significant difference. Reach out today for a free online evaluation and help your child build strong, confident speech skills!