Vocalic R For Speech Therapy

Treating the vocalic R in speech therapy can be TOUGH; however, there are ways to ease the pain. Keep reading to learn about my teaching techniques and favorite new materials

*vocalic R is when R comes after a vowel: or, ar, air, ire, er, ear

The Vocalic R Overview

Vocalic R is when R comes after a vowel. In English, there are 7 of them:

or
ar
air
ire
er
ear
rl (I just threw that one in here because it is not prevocalic and it is difficult to teach!)

Personally, I believe that the vocalic R is difficult for some to learn because

the slight variations of R due to the preceding vowel
it is hard to see what the tongue is doing
vowels and R are very similar in their voice/place/manner

How To Teach The Vocalic R

1st: Assess all R variations

When a child is having difficulty with R, I first assess if he or she is having difficulty with ALL Rs. Most likely a child will be able to say one variation correctly. I assess:

Initial or Prevocalic R
R Blends: gr, fr, br, kr, dr, pr, tr
Vocalic R: or, er, air, ar, ear, ire, RL

Anecdotally, I have the most success with GR and KR

The tongue is already in the back for the K and G.
Start with "green" or "cream" since the tongue will naturally anchor to the top molars when saying saying the vowel "eeee.

2nd: Review anatomy

get our your favorite "mouth"
review what the tongue, teeth, and jaw have to do to say R
my tips: tongue back, sides of tongue touch back teeth, tongue is a tight ball
I love the mouth below from Amazon. It is affordable, small, and durable. I have a few! I have the child use playdoh to make a tongue. Then we shape that tongue for an R. I use that playdoh tongue and mouth all session for feedback. Click the image below to grab it!

You can also use print or no-print cue cards to review anatomy. The ones below are available on the membership site.

3rd: Practice the R the child CAN say

use the R the child can say correctly to "train the ears" on how an R is suppose to sound
the child will start to discriminate between a right and wrong R
the child will learn how a correct R feels in the mouth

4th: For vocalic R, start with the vowel!

If you want tips on prevocalic R, click here.

many times, the child isn't saying the vowel correctly when R succeeds it
use the cues/worksheets below to teach/review vowels
these cues are now up Speech Therapy Talk's Membership Site.

5th: Combine vowel with R

I use the cue sheets to start combing the vowel with R.
I move SLOWLY and NEVER break voicing
Moving slow gives the child time to get his/her tongue in the right position

6th: Move to word practice

Once the child can say R at the syllable level with visual and verbal cues, I move to words, etc....
I like to use the worksheets below to review anatomy and then jump to drill practice. They are great for home practice too.

Vocalic R Materials

When teaching prevocalic and vocalic R, we need the right cues and teaching materials. I added the new materials to the membership site.

Animated Cue Cards

animated cue cards for OR, AR, IRE, EAR, EAR, ER, AND RL
Great for teaching and providing the specific feedback each child needs (not too much or too little)

Printable Cue Cards

Printable cue cards for OR, AR, IRE, EAR, EAR, ER, AND RL
These are great handouts and help to keep all caregivers on the same page!

Teaching Material

visual cues for how to combine the vowel to R
use for teaching phase and review as needed

Specific Vocalic R Warm Up

Warm-Up for: OR, AR, IRE, EAR, EAR, ER, AND RL
Use for goal review, anatomy review, and to "warm up" muscles
plus get quick drill practice

Prevocalic & Vocalic R Practice

If a child can either say the prevocalic R but not the vocalic R (and vice versa), you can use that!
Use phonetic placement to facilitate the needed R.
I LOVE THESE!