Speech - the r sound

[joey123]

My 4 and a half year old still says the w sound instead of the r sound when talking. Eg. Wace instead of race or west instead of rest. Is this normal? She can't say the r sound even if she tries. Everything else is Ok.

[Trillian]

Sometimes it's just a developmental thing which will sort itself out in time. You can help by getting her to practice the 'r' sound on it's own and then practicing words with the r sound. Google 'jolly phonics r' on youtube and you will get a short little clip of a song to help them learn the r sound. They will use jolly phonics when she gets to school so it won't confuse her later on.

[joey123]

She is in prep now and they are doing jolly phonics. But I will get her to watch the r one at home. Good thinking. Thanks!

[Olive]

Most kids have the r sound by 7

[joey123]

Thanks Olive!

[2CheekyMonkeys]

My preppy is the same. She knows the difference and realises she is saying it wrong but can't for the life of her get the 'r' sound to come out. Are there any speechy tricks or exercises to encourage this?

[Olive]

Time....

[Trillian]

Time and practice is about all you can do. My 9yo DD can't get it. She had speech therapy for nearly 2 years and it was the one thing that she never got the hang of. Not sure if she will eventually get it though.