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.