“R” Speech Errors: Why the “R” Sound is Tricky and How Speech Therapy Can Help

Does your child say wabbit instead of rabbit or cah instead of car? Well, you are not alone! Difficulty producing “r” is one of the most common, and often trickiest sound to correct, in school-aged children.

Now, here’s the good news! With the right approach, “r” errors are treatable. Let’s break down why “r” is so challenging and how speech therapy can help your child master it with confidence.

Why is “R” So Hard?

“R” is unique because it is one of the most complex sounds in the English language to produce. Unlike other sounds, “r” is made entirely inside the mouth and is difficult to see.

To produce a clear “r”, a child needs to:

• Lift and tense their tongue
• Retract their tongue toward the back of their mouth
• Keep the sides of the tongue braced against the upper back teeth
• Coordinate lip and jaw positioning
• Control airflow and voicing

That is a lot of moving parts!

Common Types of “R” Errors

• Gliding: substituting “w” or “y” for “r” as in “wun” for run
• Vocalic /r/ errors: difficulty with “r” following a vowel like er, ar, or, and air
• Distorted /r/: the sound is present but often sounds “mushy”

When Should “R” Errors Be Addressed?

While there is variability in development, most children master the “r” sound by age 6. If your child:

• Is older than 6 and still struggling with “r”
• Is becoming frustrated or difficult to understand
• Avoids words or speaking situations

…it may be time to consult with a licensed speech and language pathologist.

How Does Speech Therapy Help with “R” Errors

Effective therapy goes far beyond telling children to “say it again…”

In therapy, SLPs:

• Teach (and model) the exact tongue and mouth placement to help with child’s specific “r” error
• Use visual, tactile, and verbal cues to help your child know where to place their tongue
• Break down the sound step-by-step
• Use listening activities to help distinguish between correct and incorrect production
• Practice “r” in a structured hierarchy, starting with producing the sound in isolation
• Target carryover to help generalize production

No two “r” errors are treated the same - individualized therapy is so important!

Why “R” Errors Often Don’t “Just Go Away”

Speech patterns become motor habits. Even if a child knows they produce a sound incorrectly, they often default to the old motor pattern. That is why waiting it out doesn’t always work. Targeted therapy retrains the motor plan needed for consistent and accurate “r” production.

Supporting Your Child at Home

Parents play a key role in speech and language therapy. During therapy, you’ll receive:

• Clear practice strategies
• Guidance on how to give feedback without creating frustration
• Tips to support carryover

Short and consistent practice, when done correctly, makes a big difference!

Final Thoughts

“R” errors are common and frustrating, but treatable with the right support. If your child has difficulty with producing “r,” a SLP can help uncover why it is difficult and create a treatment plan that works for your child.