Your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) might use minimal pair therapy if your child has a phonological disorder. That means your child makes predictable errors with sounds they are able to produce, but they do not use those sounds at the right time. For example, a child might say /k/ in “book” but not in “key.” Discrimination and production practice are the two steps that make this approach work.
What Is Minimal Pair Therapy?
Minimal pair therapy focuses on changing how a child represents the sounds in words. It contrasts two words that differ by only one sound, such as “tea” and “key,” to show why the right sound matters for being understood. It targets your child’s ability to tell apart words that differ only by their error sound, and then to say the words with the correct sound. You can read more in our overview of minimal pair therapy.
Tips for Discrimination Practice
If a child cannot hear the difference between the target sound and the error sound, practicing production alone is not meaningful. That is why discrimination matters so much. When your SLP sends home minimal pair cards, try these steps.
- Point to a picture, say what it is, explain the item, and say the word again. For example, “This is tea. Tea is something warm that you drink. This is tea.”
- Point to its minimal pair and do the same, such as “This is a key. You use a key to unlock the house. This is a key.”
- Ask your child to point to one, such as “Show me the key.”
- If they pick the right one, praise them: “Good job! You found the key! Now I can unlock the door!”
Kids love knowing they can’t be tricked, so try saying, “I’m going to try to trick you. Don’t let me trick you!” Then ask for one of the targets again, two to three times, in random order. If your child picks the wrong word, praise the effort and gently correct them: “Good job picking one! I asked for the key to unlock the door, and you showed me the tea you drink. Can you show me the key?”
Tips for Production Practice
Once your child is accurate at discriminating between the sounds, they are ready to be challenged to say the correct word. This takes some playing and acting, but it really helps. Explain the items and say the words, just as you did in the steps above.
Ask your child what you need for a task, such as “What do I need to unlock the door?” If they use the correct sound, praise them: “Yes, we need a key! Good job.” If they use the error sound, like “tea,” act as though you do not understand: “Tea? Tea will help me unlock the door?” This gives your child a chance to fix the production on their own without a model. If they keep struggling, model the word or use other strategies your SLP has taught you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a minimal pair?
A minimal pair is two words that differ by only one sound, like “tea” and “key” or “bat” and “pat.” Therapists use them to show how one sound changes the meaning of a word.
Why start with discrimination before production?
If a child cannot hear the difference between the sounds, saying the target sound will not make sense to them. Hearing the difference first makes production practice meaningful.
How often should we practice at home?
Short sessions work best. Your child’s SLP will tell you where your child is in the process and how often to practice. For general tips, see our guide to practicing speech sounds at home.
How ETLC Can Help
If you have questions about your child’s speech, our speech-language pathologists are here to help. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about speech sound disorder support at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- Minimal Pair Therapy
- Practicing Speech Sounds at Home
- Why Your Child Isn’t Saying New Sounds All the Time
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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