Clear Pronunciation Matters
Mispronounced or muddled sounds can confuse young readers and writers and delay their literacy development. Phonics is most effective when sounds are modeled clearly and consistently.
For example:
· Saying ‘buh’ instead of a crisp /b/ adds unnecessary vowel sound.
· Overemphasizing or distorting sounds can make blending more difficult.
Clear Pronunciation Helps Learners
· Blend sounds smoothly to read words. For example; s / a / t = “sat”.
· Segment words accurately for writing words (spelling).
· Recognising patterns and word families. For example; cat, hat, bat.
How to Gain Clear Pronunciation
Every sound is created by the physical position of the mouth, tongue and lips. These small movements make a big difference when it comes to pronouncing letter sounds accurately.
Some examples are;
· The /m/ sound is made by pressing both lips together.
The /l/ sound is formed with lips and teeth apart, and the tip of the tongue touching the ridge behind the upper front teeth.
The /s/ sound is made with the lips apart and the teeth are closed, the tongue is close to the upper front teeth but not touching them, creating a narrow channel for air.
How to Help Your Child at Home
Firstly, speak clearly, slowly and intentionally, using correct pronunciation of words. For example; the word for the number 3 is “three”, not “free”. The sounds /th/ and /f/ are formed quite differently and will cause confusion.
Secondly, use pour sounds when focusing on individual letters. Some phonemes to watch for are b, g, l, m, n, p and t. Remember to keep the sound clean without adding any unnecessary vowel sounds.
Lastly, have children watch themselves in a mirror as they say sounds and words. This will help them develop awareness of the physical position of their mouth, tongue and lips.
Mouth, tongue and lip positions are the tools of clear and confident speech. By paying attention to how letter sounds are physically formed, we set the stage for better reading, writing, speaking and listening skills for beginning learners. So, next time you pronounce a sound, take a moment to notice what your mouth, tongue and lips are doing.
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression & knowledge. - Albert Einstein
‘Awakening student’s joy of creative expression and knowledge’, Albert understood the importance of every learner experiencing excitement and delight. Creating environments and situations in which students have opportunities to express themselves and to be heard.
With a focus on developing students’ love of learning, forming connections with my students within a vibrant and welcoming environment is at the heart of my teaching beliefs. Exciting learning experiences are explored through sight, sound and movement. Multisensory experiences provide learners with options to acquire knowledge and skills. Nurturing students’ individuality is valued and celebrated.
Out of the classroom during my personal time, my love of camping, fishing and exploring New Zealand’s natural surroundings provides me with the inspiration to bring curiosity into the classroom. Every experience, whether it is fishing on Snapper Rock at Waiinu Beach or blending sounds to read words in the classroom,is an opportunity to explore, discover and share.
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