03/15/2026
If you’re an SLP, you already know how powerful meaningful movement + sound pairing can be for articulation 💥
The Bjorem Speech Sound Cue Cards are such a great visual + motor support for kids who need that extra anchor for correct placement.
Here’s why I love them for back sounds:
🟢 K Sound – “Coughing Sound”
The coughing cue helps kids:
• Feel the back of their tongue lift
• Notice the air burst from the throat
• Reduce fronting (t → k substitutions)
• Connect a body movement to the sound
When I model a gentle “cough” (without actually coughing hard), kids immediately understand that the sound is coming from the back of their mouth. That motor cue is GOLD for students who can’t “see” where their tongue should go.
You can say:
“Let’s make the quiet cough sound… k, k, k.”
It creates a natural, voiceless back sound without overcomplicating placement explanations.
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🔵 G Sound – “Gulping Sound”
The gulping cue is perfect for:
• Teaching the voiced pair of /k/
• Helping students feel their voice turn on
• Emphasizing that same back-of-tongue movement
I’ll say:
“Turn your voice on and make the gulping sound… g, g, g.”
Pairing the movement of swallowing/gulping with the voiced back sound makes the difference between /k/ and /g/ much clearer for kids who struggle with voicing contrasts.
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Why These Cards Work So Well
✔ Visual support
✔ Motor imagery
✔ Clear sound association
✔ Simple language for kids
✔ Great for younger students and those with phonological processes
Instead of long explanations about “velar placement,” we give them something they can feel and picture.
And for kids who front? This is often the breakthrough.
Such a simple tool — but so powerful in articulation treatment. 💚
