Are you wondering why /s/ and /z/ share a page? Well, there is a reason for that! The articulatory features of /s/ and /z/ are all the same, with one exception. Both sounds are fricatives, meaning they require continous air flow. Secondly both sounds can be made with tongue in placement in either of these two locations: burrowed into the space below your bottom teeth OR on the bumpy (alvealor) ridge behind your front teeth. Ask your child where they like to make the sound. What is most important is that the that the airflow is continuos and pushed out the front of your tongue. In addition, it is important that the tongue does not protrude outside of the mouth when saying either the /s/ or /z/ sound.
/S/ and /Z/ differ by one feature. /S/ is voiceless (throat does not vibrate), while the /Z/ sound is voiced (throat vibrates and can be felt by placing your hand over your vocal folds). Follow these tips to help your child at home: When saying /s/, your tongue stays behind your teeth. All of the air comes out the front, not the sides. You can think of your tongue as a snake that must stay in the cage (your teeth). To help your child be more successful at speaking clearly, try these ideas.
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