Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
If your child is learning how to make the /f/ sound, repetition is important. There are many fun books you can read together to help them practice. Here are 7 books that our speech therapists recommend for working on the /f/ sound, along with tips for teaching your child to make this sound.
Key takeaways
Using a mirror and showing your child how to make the /f/ sound helps them visualize what to do.
Children’s books are a fun, engaging way to practice speech sounds (also called articulation) at home.
Clapping, pointing, or raising a hand each time your child hears an /f/ word turns reading into a great game for practice.
You don’t need to buy the books. You can find them at local libraries or use read-aloud videos that work just as well!
Find the right speech therapist for your child
We'll match you with a licensed speech therapist who's experienced in your child's needs and available when you are.
Get startedHow to teach a child to make the /f/ sound
One of the best things to do when helping your child with the /f/ sound is to show them how to do it. Model the sound for them, and let them watch how your top teeth gently touch your bottom lip. Then, you blow air softly to make the /f/ sound.
You can have your child repeat after you. You can also try letting them use a mirror. This way they can see what their mouth is actually doing while they’re trying this new sound.
"If your child still needs some help, ask them if you can help by touching their mouth," says Alexis Irazoque, M.S., L/SLP, a speech therapist with Expressable. "You can gently move their lip under their top teeth and prompt them to blow air to make the sound."
Most children can say the /f/ sound by about age 4. However, some kids may need extra practice. For kids older than age 4 who are struggling with the /f/ sound, a speech evaluation is likely recommended.
Does your child struggle saying the /f/ sound? Learn why some kids can't make the /f/ sound and how to help your child speak more clearly.
Practice the /f/ sound with these children’s books
When it comes to learning speech sounds, also known as articulation, daily practice leads to faster progress. Reading together is a fun, easy way to get that practice done!
Here, we’re sharing a list of children’s books that use the /f/ sound in imaginative ways, including our speech therapists' favorite recommendations. Your child can read aloud or repeat the /f/ words after you say them. You can even turn it into a game by asking them to clap or raise their hand every time they hear a word with /f/.
In addition to practicing speech sounds, when you read aloud and talk with your child about the stories, you're giving them a great opportunity to grow their general language skills. Plus, it’s a bonding experience for the two of you.
If you don’t own the recommended books, you don’t have to buy them! Check your local library, or search for a read-aloud version on YouTube. Let’s dive in and discover some new books to read with your child.
1 The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister
Irazoque loves to use The Rainbow Fish for /f/ practice. It gives you lots of chances to practice initial /f/ (or /f/ at the start of words) with words like fish, friend, fins, and funny.
2 Muffin the Fish, by Melissa Palmer
Muffin the Fish was written by a speech therapist to target the /f/ sound, making it a natural choice for speech practice. Look for words such as fish, fun, funny, feet, four, and food throughout the story. The character's name, Muffin, also gives you a chance to practice medial /f/ (or /f/ in the middle of a word).
3 The Foot Book, by Dr Seuss
Another book that Irazoque often grabs for speech sound practice is The Foot Book. “It’s packed with opportunities to practice /f/,” she says. Listen for foot, feet, four, different, left, and soft.
You can pause on each /f/ word and have your child repeat it, or create a short phrase, such as four feet, soft feet, or left foot.
Use this speech sound development chart to track sounds by age, see examples and red flags, and know when an evaluation could help.
4 Fox in Socks, by Dr Seuss
Fox in Socks is a fun choice for children who enjoy rhymes and silly word combinations. Try practicing /f/ with words such as fox, funny, feet, and four. With the book’s playful, repetitive language, you can challenge your child to listen for /f/ words and repeat them after you.
5 Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings, by Matthew Van Fleet
Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings gives young children chances to practice /f/ with words such as fuzzy, four, and feet. As you explore the colorful, interactive pages, pause when you come across an /f/ word and have your child say it several times.
6 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff
Another favorite is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Irazoque says it provides a simple way to practice /f/ with the word if, because it uses the same phrase over and over. This is great for extra /f/ practice!
Irazoque recommends having your child repeat if each time it appears, then combining it with other words to create short phrases, such as if you, if the mouse, or if he.
7 Old MacDonald Had a Farm, by Jane Cabrera
Old MacDonald Had a Farm is a familiar song and story that can provide opportunities to practice /f/ with words such as farm and farmer. Encourage your child to repeat the words as you read—or sing!
Learn how to practice speech with games! Here are 11 simple games for kids of all ages and how our speech therapists recommend using them.
Practicing speech at home leads to faster progress
Home practice is essential for helping children improve their articulation skills. Consistency is key when working on speech sounds, and practicing regularly allows your child to strengthen their skills outside of therapy sessions.
Reading books with your child is a great way to add speech sound practice into your daily routine while keeping it engaging and fun. By using books that contain a variety of /f/ words, you can give your child lots of chances to hear and produce these sounds in context.
To keep home practice motivating, focus on making it relaxed and positive. Use games or toys to make practice feel like a fun adventure. Celebrate your child’s successes, and encourage them to try their best without putting too much pressure on them.
You can also offer your child choices in which books to read or games to play. This gives them a sense of control and ownership over their practice. "Remember, the goal is to help your child build their skills in a supportive, enjoyable way!" Irazoque says.
Need more support?
If you're concerned about your child’s speech, it never hurts to schedule an evaluation. We have a highly trained team of speech therapists who help kids make progress every day. Don’t hesitate—get matched with a speech therapist for an evaluation today!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You can stimulate the /f/ sound by showing your child how to do it and having them imitate you. You can also use a mirror to give them visual feedback. If your child is all right with it, you can physically guide their lips and teeth to the correct positions.
Children should be able to say the /f/ sound correctly in their everyday speech once they turn 4 years old. Speech therapy can be a huge support for kids whose speech is unclear or who are delayed in learning speech sounds.
You can teach the /f/ sound by providing lots of practice. Show your child how your mouth moves as you make the sound yourself. Children need many opportunities to practice, so don’t expect it to come without lots of repetition! It’s normal for the /f/ sound to take some time.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
