4 Teaching the L Sound with a Lizard Tongue Cue
Katy Lord
Guided Practice Script
Okay, now we’re going to practice our /l/ sound! Can you make a long, sharp tongue like a lizard? [1] Awesome!
Now keep your tongue sharp and put the tip of your tongue behind your teeth. [2]
Turn on your voice! Watch my mouth as I say “lizard”. Can you say “lizard” with me with your lizard tongue? [3] Good job!”
Targeted Techniques and Considerations
Eliciting Techniques in Script
- Verbal instructions using a metaphor
- Phonetic placement
- Modeling
Common /l/ Sound Errors
- Error pattern: /w/ is substituted for /l/
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- Likely cause: The phonological pattern of substituting glides for liquids, where /l/ or /ɹ/ with /w/ or /j/ — /l/ takes more complicated articulation, so children often substitute it with /w/ or /j/.
