Guided Practice Script

Let’s practice the /θ/ sound! The /θ/ sound can be found at the beginning of the word think and at the end of the word math. Can you say think with me? Now let’s say math! [1] Good job!

When pronouncing the /θ/ sound, your tongue tip is placed in between your top and bottom teeth and then you blow air through the gap. It’s almost like you are blowing out a candle. [2]

To help produce the /θ/ sound, start by producing the /s/ sound. Once the sound is produced, move your tongue forward so that it is between your top and bottom teeth. [3] Can you try it? Great job!”

Target Techniques and Considerations

Elicitation Techniques in the Script

1. Modeling
2. Phonetic placement
3. Sound approximation

Common /θ/ Errors:

• The sound /t/ is commonly substituted for the sound /θ/.

• • Likely Cause: This process is called stopping, in which a stop sound, like /t/, replaces a more complex sound like /θ/. This happens because sometimes, children have difficulty producing sounds that have more complex tongue and motor movements.

Accent or Dialect Variation

• In the Cockney English dialect, the /θ/ is replaced by the sounds /v/ and /f/. For example, if an individual says the word thought, they may produce it as “fought.”