This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission at no cost to you if you decide to make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.
We are almost positive you have a student (or more!) that substitutes /w/ for /r/ or /l/ on your speech caseload. Us too! This is the phonological process of gliding which most of us see very regularly. Keep reading to check out a quick review of gliding, some gliding examples, and effective tips for correcting this phonological pattern. Also don’t miss the gliding freebie puzzle activity we have included at the end of this post!
What is gliding?
Gliding is a phonological process typically seen in young children. Gliding occurs when the liquid sounds /l/ and /r/ are replaced with a glide such as /w/ and /y/. This error usually resolves itself by the age of six or seven, but we all know we are kept in business when it prolongs past that age!
Also Read: Phonological Process of Fronting Activities
Gliding Examples
We all know gliding when we hear it! For example, when you are at the store and you can’t help but notice the child in line behind you asking for a “wowipop”. Or when you are waiting at the doctor’s office and hear somebody on the phone talking about dinner “weservations”. Or when you are sitting in your office and somebody over the loud speaker says what is for “wunch” that day!!! We all have overly trained ears to identify this error, but check out the gliding examples below.
If you are just starting out or you are a seasoned pro, we wanted to give a few gliding examples as a quick review! Below are some typical gliding examples you may see in your speech therapy sessions.
Also Read: How To Effortlessly Plan 15 Activities For Final Consonant Deletion
Tips for Eliciting /l/
We explain four different tips including using a large scale mouth model, toothpaste and toothbrush, phonemic hand cues, and lollipops.
Check out the video below to learn about some helpful tips to eliminate gliding and elicit /l/ in your speech and language therapy sessions.
Tips for Eliciting /r/
We explain four different tips including using a large scale mouth model, helpful verbal cues, more lollipop fun, and minimal pairs.
Check out the video below to learn about some helpful tips to eliminate gliding and elicit consonantal /r/ in your speech and language therapy sessions.
Also Read: The Ultimate List of Cluster Reduction Activities for Speech Therapy
Gliding Activities
Looking for more activities to specifically target gliding in your speech therapy sessions? Click on any link below to grab some of our favorite games, worksheets, and activities to help eliminate the phonological process of gliding with your students today.
- Smash Mats
- One Page Articulation Activities
- Roll & Say Games
- Spin & Cover Games
- Articulation Drill Punch Cards
Gliding Freebie
To make your gliding speech sessions even more successful, Mandy has created an AWESOME freebie for you! Use these bear themed puzzles to match initial /l/ and /r/ pictures to pictures or word to pictures to create a cute bear scene. Both puzzles come in full color or black and white. This is perfect free activity to target gliding during your speech and language therapy sessions.
Click here or the image below to instantly download your Free Bear Gliding Puzzles today!
We hope this was a quick and easy read for all things gliding in speech therapy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more speech and language tips and tricks!
Happy speech therapy, SLPs!
Kate & Mandy
Talking Mama Bears
