How to Teach a Child to Stop Lisping

A lisp is a speech disorder that can have an unfavorable effect on a child's self esteem. Although lisping may be considered cute in a younger child, it can lead to ridicule and teasing as the child grows older. Identifying the cause of the lisp will help you decide the method of teaching the child to overcome the problem. Providing specific instructions, demonstrating the technique to be followed and praising the smallest of improvements are all crucial steps toward getting rid of a lisp.

Instructions

1. Identify the source of the problem. Say different words such as "sink" and "think" and check if the child is able to distinguish the sounds by asking him or her to say what they mean. If the two words sound the same to him or her, it means the lisp is due to an error in perception of sound. To help the child learn to discriminate between sounds, you will need to use listening devices that assist in hearing the difference. Consult a speech therapist to decide a further course of action.

2. Observe the way the child's tongue and lips move while saying the words that sound like a lisp. Accordingly teach him or her the right way to position the tongue or lips. For instance, if the error is due to the tongue pressing too hard against the palate, teach him or her to reduce the contact. Ask him or her to observe the way your tongue moves as you say the word the way he or she does. Then, as the child is watching, move your tongue lightly against the palate and show the sound that is produced. Encourage the child to practice doing this a few times until he or she understands the idea, although he or she may not be able to correct the error at once.

3. Determine a specific instruction to be used for correcting the error. Ensure that this instruction is the opposite of the error. For example, if the lisp is due to blowing too hard, use the instruction, "Blow soft." Explain this to the child and have him or her memorize the instruction to use it when practicing alone. Use the same instruction consistently during the training and practice sessions.

4. Provide specific feedback while making corrections and while praising the child's progress. Use the same terminology you follow while giving the instructions. For instance, rather than simply saying "Good" or "That is wrong," say "Good -- that's the way to move your lips" or "You didn't blow hard enough, try again."

5. Encourage the child to listen to him or herself and check for improvements and errors. Speak to a speech therapist about using assistive listening devices. Alternatively, teach the child to hold a small plastic tube between the mouth and ear to help discriminate the sounds made. Teaching a child to monitor and evaluate the lisp is essential to overcoming it faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Children with a thumb sucking habit or those with nasal congestion often manifest a lisp. Correction in such cases may require additional measure to correct this root cause of the lisp.

References

• East Praire School District: Articulation Development
• SpeechPathology: Therapy for Frontal Lisp
• Baby Center: Can I Help Correct My Child's Lisp?