Guided Practice Script

Hey! Today we are going to practice the /v/ sound. You hear this sound at the beginning of the word van. Could you say van with me? [1] That was great!

Let’s try this trick to help you make this sound. (Grabbing a mirror) Can you make the /f/ sound while looking in the mirror? [2] Great, now keep your mouth in that place. You see how your bottom lip goes under the top teeth? When saying /v/ your mouth will look exactly like that.

Now with your mouth like that I want you to try and make a sound without changing the way your mouth looks. Here is a cool way to know your making sound, put your fingers in the middle of your neck and if you feel vibrations then you are making sounds but you there is no vibrating then you are just pushing out air. [3]

Target Techniques and Considerations

Elicitation techniques in the script

1. Modeling
2. Phonetic placement
3. Verbal instructions using descriptions and touch cues

Common /v/ Sound Errors

• Error Pattern: substituting /b/ for /v/. Why, because for the sound /v/ a child needs to keep a constant flow of air with sound. For the /b/ sound just needs a quick flow or air which is easier for a child to make.

Accent or Dialect Variations with /v/

• When it comes to some African American English speakers when pronouncing /v/ at the end of a word the sound is /f/. Example: “give” can sound like “gif”