--- title: How to Make the /B/ Sound description: The /b/ sound is made by pressing your lips together and using your voice to create sound. Follow these steps to teach the /b/ sound: --- [Skip to content](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/to-make-the-/b/-sound#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![facebook\_logo-01-1.png\]](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook_logo-01-1.png?height=50&name=facebook_logo-01-1.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Go to athomearticulation.com Go to athomearticulation.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [At Home Articulation Knowledge Base](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase?hsLang=en) 2. [Printable Resources](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/athomearticulationknowledgebase/printable-resources?hsLang=en) # How to Make the /B/ Sound ## The /b/ sound is made by pressing your lips together and using your voice to create sound. Follow these steps to teach the /b/ sound: ### ![B-TT image](https://wiki.athomearticulation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/B-TT%20image.png?width=457&height=253&name=B-TT%20image.png) Step-by-Step Instructions: 1. **Press your lips together**: Close your lips tightly. 2. **Feel the air build up behind your lips**: As you prepare to make the sound, notice the air accumulating behind your lips. 3. **Turn your voice box on**: Make your throat vibrate by engaging your vocal cords. 4. **Release the pressure in a puff of air**: Explode the air out while vibrating your throat. Give it a try! --- ### Helpful Tips for Teaching the /B/ Sound: - **Remind the child to close their lips and puff out their cheeks** to help control the airflow. - **Avoid adding an 'uh' sound after the /b/**: For example, say /b/ (not /buh/). This is called isolating the sound and helps the child focus on producing the sound without extra vowel sounds. - **Use a piece of string or tissue**: Hold up a small piece of string or tissue and ask the child to make it “dance” by releasing the puff of air. This helps them understand the explosive nature of the /b/ sound. - **Demonstrate on the child’s hand**: Show them how the /b/ sound feels by blowing air onto their hand. Have them do the same to their own hand to feel the air pressure and vibration. - **Use the voice box**: The /b/ and /p/ sounds are similar. The tongue placement and airflow are the same in both. However, with /b/, the voice box is turned on (e.g., "big," "robin," "tub"), while with /p/, the voice box is off (e.g., "pig," "hippo," "nap"). Have the child place their hand lightly on their throat while saying these words to feel the difference. --- ### Common Errors: - **Substituting a /p/ for a /b/**: This is the most common error, where the child turns off their voice box instead of turning it on. If the child says a /p/ sound instead of a /b/, have them hum before attempting the sound again. Humming will help them activate their voice box. --- ### Important Note: Do not practice the sound incorrectly. If, after a few attempts, the child continues to say the sound incorrectly, stop and reach out to a speech-language pathologist for assistance. These tips and tricks are not intended to replace the guidance of a licensed professional, and practicing the sound incorrectly may cause more harm than good. --- ### References: Secord, W. A., Boyce, S. E., Donohue, J. S., Fox, R. A., & Shine, R. E. (2007). *Eliciting Sounds: Techniques and Strategies for Clinicians* (2nd ed.). Delmar, Cengage Learning. [www.athomearticulation.com](http://www.athomearticulation.com/) © 2024 At Home Articulation, Inc. 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