By the age of four, your child should be able to produce /k/ (as in "cat") and /g/ (as in "go") sounds. These are called velar sounds because they are produced at the back of the mouth where the back of the tongue touches the soft part of the roof of the mouth (the velum).
How you can help your child practice /k/ and /g/ sounds:
1. Grab a mirror
Show your child how to open their mouth wide and keep their tongue tip down.
Say simple words like "cat" and "go".
2. Lift that tongue
Encourage them to lift the back of their tongue up high.
3. Model the sound
Say the sound clearly and let them imitate you.
4. Encourage your child
Celebrate every attempt your child makes, even if the sounds aren’t perfect yet by verbally praising their efforts (e.g., “I see you’re trying very hard!”).
Use positive reinforcement to help build their confidence and encourage them to keep practicing.
5. Make it fun
Choose an activity your child loves and practice relevant words with the /k/ or /g/ sounds in the initial position (e.g. "kick" or "goal" while playing soccer together).
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