The "Luh" Sound Production

Two days ago I decided that it's time for my son to minimise his slurred speech in "luh" area. I pointed out that he needed to practice his "luh" sound, and he was definitely unhappy about it. I modelled for him and he copied. He couldn't do it properly and easily. Knowing that he was frustrated, I asked him to take a break and to try again the next day. I assured him that I would show him in front of the mirror. He cried, devastated, and I felt worse. 

Second day of practice, we practised in front of the mirror and I explained and modelled him how to produce the "luh" sound. I showed him how to do it by keeping the mouth open and stroking the tongue up down gently.  He could't stop his jaw from moving and he kept pulling his tongue in and out instead. It was not easy for him and he was not happy. He cried, frustated, and I asked him to try again next time. 

Today is 3rd day of him practising the "luh" sound. Reciting the AlFatihah slowly during bedtime ,which has lots of "l" sound, made him realised how often it needed to be sounded. So I asked him to practice producing a good "luh" sound.  He agreed and anticipated the practice better than the first and second day. It was a good 2 minutes practise. He let me help him keeping his mouth open while he tried moving his tongue up and down. His tongue needed to touch the upper lips and then dropped down gently just at the back of his lower teeth. He understood and tried his best a few times. It was not 100%  a clear "luh" but it actually sounded better. I told him that he got it! So I asked him to do it slowly, ten times. After the seventh attempt, he forgot how to do it. His muscle was definitely tired, and his brain stopped giving instruction. He was annoyed, and started moaning. I told him he did well and to try again tomorrow. It's time for bed.

Walking out of his bedroom, I felt an  excitement running in veins and my mind started summarizing how to produce the "luh" sound. We have been stucked, not getting the right help for his speech. It is like looking for a needle in the haystacks. I am no expert but  I am fortunate and grateful that somehow Allah guides me to find the answer, bit by bit. After working on the "muh", "buh", "puh", "duh", "tuh", wuh" and now "luh", I will soon work on "nuh", and then "ruh", and so on. The list continues... 

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My conclusion for the slurred "luh" sound in the Speech Practice is:

L sound production: 

- tongue out, mouth opened comfortably

- the tip of the tounge touching the lower part of the upper lips as you breathe in

- gently stroke down the tongue, touching the lower teeth as you breathe out 

- this was to be done without moving the jaw (mouth kept open)

Note: I still need to cross check this practise.

London, 1 February 2016

Note:

06.02.2016:  I found a good article and also a video about producing the 'L" sound. The title How to Teach the L Sound. And also a video about it on T, D, N, L, speech sound