Helping Kids (and Adults!) Say the R Sound: Practical Tips from a Speech Therapist

The /r/ sound—it's one of the trickiest sounds in the English language. Whether you're a parent helping your child at home or an adult working on your own speech clarity, know this: you're not alone. Many people struggle with the /r/ sound well past early childhood, and it's one of the most common speech goals in therapy.

Here’s a breakdown of why the /r/ sound is so hard—and a few tips to help make it easier.

Why Is the R Sound So Hard to Say?

Unlike other sounds, /r/ has no single mouth position that works for everyone. It requires precise tongue placement, strong lingual (tongue) coordination, and fine motor control. And to make things more complicated, /r/ changes slightly depending on the word (“red” vs. “car” vs. “ear”).

There are two main ways to make the /r/ sound:

• Bunched /r/: Tongue bunches in the middle of the mouth.

• Retroflex /r/: Tongue tip curls slightly back toward the roof of the mouth.

Different people have success with different methods—so let’s explore what helps.

Tips for Teaching the R Sound

1. Start with the Right Version of /R/

If the child or adult has more success with /ar/ words (like “car”) than with initial /r/ (like “rabbit”), start there. Some people find “final R” or “vocalic R” (like “ear,” “or,” “air”) easier to produce first. You can build from what already sounds closest.

2. Use a Mirror

Visual feedback is powerful. Watch how the mouth moves, and compare correct vs. incorrect productions. Sometimes you’ll notice a visible “w” shape forming if the speaker is substituting /r/ with /w/ (“wabbit” for “rabbit”). Use the mirror to help them avoid lip rounding and instead focus on what the tongue is doing.

3. Focus on Tongue Placement (and Less on Lips)

The /r/ sound is all about the tongue. Here’s a way to cue it:

• Say “eee” (like in “beet”). Feel the sides of the tongue push up.

• Then say “er” while keeping the sides of the tongue touching the upper back teeth and the tongue tip either bunched or curled slightly back.

• Avoid lip rounding—/r/ doesn’t need pouty lips!

4. Try a Backward Approach

This is a therapist trick: start with a word they can say (like “car”), then slowly shape it backward. For example:

• Say “car,” then “karuh,” then drop the /k/ — now you’re left with a clearer “ruh” sound.

• You can do this with other words like “ear” → “eeruh” → “ruh.”

5. Use Tactile Cues

Sometimes touching the face can help. For example:

• Use a clean finger or tongue depressor to gently tap under the chin or near the throat to remind the speaker that /r/ is a strong, growly sound made in the back—not the front of the mouth.

• Some kids benefit from holding a paper under their tongue to keep it down while practicing bunched /r/.

6. Break It Down with Syllables

Rather than jumping into full words, try:

• “ruh, rah, ree, ro, roo”

• “ar, or, ir, air, ear”

Then move into simple words with those syllables: red, read, rip, rope, root.

7. Be Patient—and Keep It Fun

Mastering /r/ can take time, especially if it’s been ingrained for years. Use games, silly voices, or even apps to keep practice engaging. Practice a few minutes at a time, often, rather than long, stressful sessions.

When to Get Professional Help

If your child is age 6 or older and still having difficulty with /r/, or if you're an adult who’s self-conscious about your speech, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help. We’re trained to break down the /r/ sound step-by-step and tailor support to your unique speech pattern.