What is a common goal when children practice contrasting sound pairs in therapy?

What is a common goal when children practice contrasting sound pairs in therapy?

• A. To improve their articulation in complex sentences.
• B. To develop awareness of phonetic differences.
• C. To enhance their fluency in oral reading.
• D. To reduce their anxiety in verbal communication.

Answer: (B)

The primary goal when children practice contrasting sound pairs in speech therapy is to develop awareness of phonetic differences. This practice helps children articulate sounds more accurately by allowing them to hear and produce sounds that differ either in place, manner, or voicing. By focusing on contrasting pairs, therapists can highlight specific features of sounds that may be challenging for the child, fostering better discrimination and production of those sounds in their speech. Developing phonetic awareness is foundational for children, especially those with speech sound disorders, as it lays the groundwork for improved speech clarity and overall communication skills. This understanding allows children to recognize and differentiate between sounds in their language, which can lead to more fluent and intelligible speech over time.

The primary goal when children practice contrasting sound pairs in speech therapy is to develop awareness of phonetic differences. This practice helps children articulate sounds more accurately by allowing them to hear and produce sounds that differ either in place, manner, or voicing. By focusing on contrasting pairs, therapists can highlight specific features of sounds that may be challenging for the child, fostering better discrimination and production of those sounds in their speech.

Developing phonetic awareness is foundational for children, especially those with speech sound disorders, as it lays the groundwork for improved speech clarity and overall communication skills. This understanding allows children to recognize and differentiate between sounds in their language, which can lead to more fluent and intelligible speech over time.