/p/ in the final position

Practice the /p/ sound with these words:

"pop,"

"cup," and...

"soup."

To practice phrases, ask your child what kinds of soup she sees.  Targets may include "chicken soup," "noodle soup" and "tomato soup."

To practice sentences, ask your child what foods you eat or drink from a cup.  Targets may include, "You drink pop from a cup," "You eat pudding from a cup," and "You can eat soup from a cup."

To practice conversation, ask your child to compare and contrast the different kinds of pop.  Targets may include, "Some pop comes in bottles.  Some pop comes in cans.  All pop has bubbles.  If you drink too much pop you will burp!"

To make the /p/ sound, cue your child to "pop" her lips.  Have her pay special attention to the "puh" sound, and feel the air coming out of her mouth.

/p/ in the initial position

Practice /p/ with these words:

 "pie,"

"pizza," and ...

"pudding."

To practice phrases, ask your child to list the varieties of pie ("peach pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie"), pizza ("cheese pizza," "pepperoni pizza," "thin crust pizza) and pudding ("pistachio pudding, vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding").

To practice sentences, it can be fun to have your child think of sentences with as many "p words" as possible.  This gives extra practice, and helps build awareness of sounds.  Targets may include, "I ate pasta and pizza with pink pudding for dessert," or "I made a pickle pie!"

To practice conversation, ask your child to describe the perfect pizza.  Targets may include, "The perfect pizza is from Mineo's.  I like the pizza with extra cheese.  I like to drink pop with it."  To keep the conversation going, try asking your child what toppings she would never eat on a pizza (anchovies?  pineapple?), or what she likes to eat for dessert after pizza.

To make the /p/ sound, cue your child to "pop" her lips.  Have her pay special attention to the "puh" sound, and feel the air coming out of her mouth.

Tip: You may start many of these activities in the grocery store, and then continue them in the car ride home for extra practice.