Tips for /s/ and /z/

/s/ and /z/ remediation

 Use phrases like the following . . .

 /s/ “bite-smile-blow”

/z/ “bite-smile-buzz”
 

“Keep your tongue behind your teeth.  Keep your teeth closed.” 

 

/s/ “It is a  skinny sound.”

Use a mirror to help see the correct shape/position.  Show the child how your teeth, tongue, and lips look.  Then, have them do the same by looking in the mirror. 

Start with just the sounds.  Then, work on the sound in a variety of syllables.  Then, at the beginning of words, then the end of words and then in the middle of words.  Make sure that they've got the sound before you move on to phrases and sentences. 

I recommend that parents work on sounds for about 15 minutes per day, so that it doesn't become too frustrating to the child or the parent.