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230+ Final S Words Speech Therapy + Articulation Flashcards

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Are you a speech-language pathologist looking for final s words for speech therapy practice? Then this blog is just what you need! It has over 230 final s words that will help strengthen your child or student’s /s/ sound. 

Minimal Pairs

A great way to work on s articulation therapy is through minimal pairs.

A minimal pair is two words that differ by only one phoneme, in this case, the final /s/ sound.

For example, “lace” and “late”.

When you pronounce these words side by side, it’s easy to hear the difference in the speech sounds.

Having a list of practice words for final s minimal pairs is a great way for a speech therapist to work on the correct production of the s sound!

final-s

Correct Production

  • Tongue Tip: The /s/ sound in the English language is made by lightly placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of the mouth on the alveolar ridge right behind your upper front teeth.
  • Middle of the Tongue: Be sure to place the sides of the tongue against the upper side of your teeth to allow for the passage of air to go down the center of the tongue.
  • Air: Then while smiling blow a skinny stream of air over the center of the tongue (you do not want the air to come out the sides of the tongue).

Lisps

  • Lateral Lisp: A lateral lisp or lateral distortion happens when air escapes out the sides of your teeth. To help reduce a lateral lisp encourage your client or student to place the sides of their tongue against the upper side of their teeth to allow the passage of air to go down the center of the tongue instead of out the sides of the teeth. The lateral lisp sounds like a “slushy” s sound.
  • Interdental Lisp or Frontal Lisp: An interdental lisp or frontal lisp happens when the tongue protrudes between the front teeth. This causes the s and z sound to be produced as the /th/ sound. The word ‘sleep’ is then produced as ‘theep’.
final-s-phrases

Phonological Processes

A phonological disorder is when a child’s speech makes multiple similar sound errors. 

Be sure to consult with a certified Speech Pathologist if your child is experiencing a phonological speech disorder.

Consonant Clusters

For example, consonant cluster reduction, a type of phonological process, is when a child or student reduces a cluster, two or three consonants together also known as consonant clusters down to just one consonant, such as the “sm” blend down to simply the s sound. 

For example, the word “smell” would become “sell”. 

Age Range – School Years

According to the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation 2 from 2000, most children have mastered the Final S sound by the time they are five years old. (This is a standardized sample from the GFTA-2 with 85% of children able to correctly produce that consonant by that age.)

If you are concerned about your child’s ability to produce this sound, it is best to consult a speech therapist about receiving speech services.

Final S Words Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists are always on the lookout for speech therapy final words organized by word positions. That’s why I’ve created this massive list just for you!

speech-therapy-final-s

Target Sound Words

Here is a list of words to work on the final s articulation sound. Use the list below for therapy or at home practice to work on your student or child’s new skill.

  • For Example: house, mouse, cactus, rhinoceros, necklace, bus, moose, dice, gas, octopus, fence, police, dress, nurse, lace

See full word lists, phrases, and sentences below.

Be sure to grab my one page freebie of final s sounds below. Simply scroll to the bottom of this post and grab your free copy!

Word Positions: Final S Words Speech Therapy 

Initial Position of Words

The initial sound of the s sound is at the beginning of a word. For example, “salt” or “sock”.

Medial S Position of Words

Some words have the s sound in the medial position of a word, such as “baseball”, “faucet”, and “pencil”.

Final Position of Words

The final positions of words are when the target sound is at the end of a word. For example, “prince” or “miss”.

final-s-pictures

Final S Words Speech Therapy

Final Words at Word Level

Some ways to practice include having your child or student say each final /s/ word one by one as they go through a list. 

Using a dot marker can also be a fun way to practice having your child put a dot under each final s sound. 

In addition, I’ve compiled an easy-to-download one page overview of final s sounds below. Simply scroll down to the bottom of this post and download your free copy.

  • 1 Syllable: less, bus, Chris, kiss, gas, mess, dress, cross, ross, miss, chaos, stress, boss, chess, oops, press, class, loss, yes, plus, diss, fuss, bliss, moss, joyous, thanks, bass, bless, gross, toss, floss, gloss, guess, ace, ice, once, peace, face, grace, dance, voice, nice, rice, race, place, chance, space, choice, prince, force, lace, sauce, bounce, price, lance, juice, dice, fence, France, vice, twice, slice, fierce, pierce, niece, since, brace, ounce, glance, house, mouse, mice, purse, worse, case, base, chase, loose, course, goose, nurse, moose, vase, verse, curse, dose, spouse, cease, morse, blouse
  • 2 Syllable: Christmas, circus, Thomas, Paris, Venus, famous, iris, Texas, cactus, nucleus, jealous, physics, nervous, lyrics, focus, tennis, gracious, gorgeous, phonics, hummus, bonus, citrus, campus, walrus, canvas, Kansas, Elvis, Dallas, angus, precious, census, fungus, mucus, fetus, chorus, office, justice, silence, science, sentence, balance, distance, presence, police, service, palace, absence, advice, romance, surface, lettuce, embrace, resource, fragrance, notice, practice, finance, device, necklace, replace, purpose, promise, false, sense, purchase, tortoise, pulse
  • 3 Syllable: happiness, business, dangerous, goddess, Uranus, cleanliness, octopus, politics, serious, curious, hopeless, genius, delicious, homeless, fabulous, wilderness, anxious, gymnastics, fireworks, generous, pajamas, Bahamas, bronchitis, emptiness, elements, wariness, loveless, closeness, statistics, obvious, frivolous, lifeless, powerless, genetics, ominous, glorious, obstacles, contagious, furious, bitterness, witness, Celsius, hibiscus, mischievous, arthritis, relentless, platypus, outrageous, hazardous, chrysalis, paradise, license, universe, nonsense
  • 4 Syllable: forgiveness, loneliness, awareness, anonymous, ambidextrous, mathematics, meticulous, rambunctious, expressionless, emotionless, ambitious, diagnosis, hypothesis, victorious, economics, adventurous, paralysis
final-s-words-speech-therapy

Practice in Flash Card Mode Right Here from Your Computer!

final s ace
final s bounce
final s bus
final s cross
final s chess
final s floss
final s ice
final s gloss
final s dance
final s juice
final s gorgeous
final s dress
final s fence
final s octopus
final s fuss
final s dice
final s nice
final s gas
final s venus
final s mess
final s kiss
final s sauce
final s space
final s paris
final s moss
final s ace final s bounce final s bus final s cross final s chess final s floss final s ice final s gloss final s dance final s juice final s gorgeous final s dress final s fence final s octopus final s fuss final s dice final s nice final s gas final s venus final s mess final s kiss final s sauce final s space final s paris final s moss

Final S Words Speech Therapy

1 Syllable2 Syllable
lessChristmas
buscircus
ChrisThomas
kissParis
gasVenus
messfamous
dressiris
crossTexas
rosscactus
missnucleus
chaosjealous
stressphysics
bossnervous
chesslyrics
oopsfocus
presstennis
classgracious
lossgorgeous
yesphonics
plushummus
dissbonus
fusscitrus
blisscampus
mosswalrus
joyouscanvas
thanksKansas
bassElvis
blessDallas
grossAngus
tossprecious
flosscensus
glossfungus
guessmucus
acefetus
icechorus
onceoffice
peacejustice
facesilence
gracescience
dancesentence
voicebalance
nicedistance
ricepresence
racepolice
placeservice
chancepalace
spaceabsence
choiceadvice
princeromance
forcesurface
lacelettuce
sauceembrace
bounceresource
pricefragrance
lancenotice
juicepractice
dicefinance
fencedevice
Francenecklace
vicereplace
twicepurpose
slicepromise
fiercefalse
piercesense
niecepurchase
sincetortoise
bracepulse
ounce
glance
house
mouse
mice
purse
worse
case
base
chase
loose
course
goose
nurse
moose
vase
verse
curse
dose
spouse
cease
morse
blouse
3 Syllable4 Syllable
happinessforgiveness
businessloneliness
dangerousawareness
goddessanonymous
Uranusambidextrous
cleanlinessmathematics
octopusmeticulous
politicsrambunctious
seriousexpressionless
curiousemotionless
hopelessambitious
geniusdiagnosis
delicioushypothesis
homelessvictorious
fabulouseconomics
wildernessadventurous
anxiousparalysis
gymnastics
fireworks
generous
pajamas
Bahamas
bronchitis
emptiness
elements
wariness
loveless
closeness
statistics
obvious
frivolous
lifeless
powerless
genetics
ominous
glorious
obstacles
contagious
furious
bitterness
witness
celsius
hibiscus
mischievous
arthritis
relentless
platypus
outrageous
hazardous
chrysalis
paradise
license
universe
nonsense
final-s-words-pictures

SEE ALSO: 21 Best Reinforcement Games for Speech Therapy

Short Sentences or Phrases

When working on final s sound production, it’s important to work on short phrases once your child or student has mastered the sound at the word level at or near 80% or higher accuracy.

Here is a list of final s word phrases to try:

Final S Words for Speech Therapy in Phrases

1 Syllable2 Syllable
much lessChristmas time
bus stopgo to see the circus
Chris smiledThomas waved
big kisstrip to Paris
gas lightVenus is bright
mess upfamous person
dress upbeautiful iris
hot cross bunsTexas Roadhouse
ross atecactus spikes
miss mestudied the nucleus
chaos going onjealous of her
try not to stressphysics class
boss calledfeel nervous
chess gamegreat lyrics
ops missionfocus on this
press downtennis ball
class startedgracious host
at a lossgorgeous sunset
say yeslearn her phonics
plus his friendshummus dip
diss meyearly bonus
fuss a lotcitrus flavor
feel blissnew campus
moss coveredwalrus played
joyous momentblank canvas
thanks for the giftdrove through Kansas
bass fishingElvis sang
bless meDallas is in Texas
gross foodAngus burger
toss the ballprecious time
floss your teethcensus showed
lip glossfungus grew
guess whoblew my mucus into the tissue
ace of spadesultrasound showed the fetus
ice skatingchorus sang
once upon a timeback to the office
peace outjustice has been served
face mesilence in the room
give gracescience class
dance teamfinish my sentence
great singing voicebalance out
nice lookdistance runner
rice and chickenyour presence
race waypolice chase
place the cupservice member
small chancewhite palace
outer spaceabsence is felt
his choicegreat advice
long lost princeromance novel
force of naturesurface of the water
lace your shoeslettuce on the grocery list
spaghetti saucebig embrace
bounce housegreat resource
high pricestrong smelling fragrance
Lance clappednotice that
apple juicesoccer practice
roll the dicefinance class
high fencesmart device
visit Francepearl necklace
vice presidentreplace these spoons
called twiceon purpose
slice of cakepromise me
fierce warriortrue or false
pierce throughgreat sense of direction
niece smiledgood purchase
since thentortoise crawled
brace yourselfchecked his pulse
one ounce
glance at me
house hunting
mouse ran
mice ate
stolen purse
worse off
in case
base of the
chase the ball
loose earrings
of course
goose flew
nurse called
moose ran
vase of flowers
memorize this verse
curse words
dose of medicine
that is my spouse
cease to find
morse code
pink blouse
3 Syllable4 Syllable
her happinessjourney to forgiveness
business planfelt loneliness
dangerous choicebring awareness
goddess of the oceananonymous writer
Uranus is a planetambidextrous means
cleanliness is importantgood at mathematics
octopus swammeticulous and detailed
politics on the newrambunctious child
serious timeexpressionless face
curious catemotionless person
hopeless feelingambitious goals
genius ideagood diagnosis
delicious cakemade a hypothesis
homeless manhe was victorious
fabulous timeeconomics class
explore the wildernessadventurous spirit
anxious feelingsparalysis after the accident
practiced gymnastics
fireworks show
generous donation
pink pajamas
trip to the Bahamas
has bronchitis
emptiness of the house
four elements
loveless story
closeness with you
statistics show
was obvious
frivolous spending
felt powerless
great genetics
ominous feeling
glorious time
many obstacles
sickness is contagious
he was furious
bitterness towards him
he was a witness
5 degrees Celsius
hibiscus flower
mischievous boy
has arthritis
he was relentless
platypus played in the water
outrageous gas prices
hazardous sign
chrysalis formed
paradise on earth
drivers license
whole universe
it was nonsense
final-s-word-phrases

Sentence Level: Final S Words Speech Therapy

The next step after working at the word and phrase levels are to work on the final s sound at the sentence level.

For example, you could give your child or student a list of sentences to read aloud while they work on their final s sound. 

Another idea would be to give your child or student pictures with their final s sound in them and then have them create a sentence about those pictures.

Below is a list of sentences to use with your child or students.

Final S Words Speech Therapy in Sentences

1 Syllable2 Syllable
He makes much less at his new job.I love Christmas time.
They waited at the bus stop.We will go to see the circus.
Chris smiled at his son.Thomas waved at his friend.
She gave her dog a big kiss.They took a trip to Paris.
My gas light is on in my car.Venus is bright.
The kids cleaned up their mess.I met a famous person.
She plays dress up with her friends.That is a beautiful iris.
Grandma made hot cross buns.I ordered steak at the Texas Roadhouse.
Ross ate his sandwich.The cactus has lots of spikes.
My daughter said she will miss me.Scientists studied the nucleus.
There is a lot of chaos going on in their life.I felt jealous of her.
The doctor said, “try not to stress”.I am late for physics class.
My boss called me.This is a 150-piece puzzle.
They played a chess game.I feel nervous.
It was a special ops mission.There are great lyrics.
Press down on the B button.Please focus on the road.
The class started late.The dog chased the tennis ball.
They are at a loss.She is a gracious host.
She decided to say yes to the dress.The beach has a gorgeous sunset.
He invited his family plus his friends.The little girl will learn her phonics.
It was rude of him to diss me.I brought hummus dip to the party.
The baby began to fuss a lot.I got my yearly bonus.
She feels bliss at the beach.I like citrus flavor drinks.
There is a moss covered log.The new campus is beautiful.
It was a joyous moment.The walrus played on the rock.
Thanks for the gift.The walls are like a blank canvas.
He went bass fishing.I drove through Kansas.
I said “bless you” after she sneezed.Elvis sang to the crowd.
I think pickles are a gross food.Dallas is in Texas.
She will toss the ball for her dog.I ordered an Angus burger.
The dentist reminded me to floss my teeth.The newborn stage is a precious time.
She put on lip gloss.The census showed a growth in population.
Guess who came to the Christmas party?A fungus grew on the tree stump.
I held the ace of spades.I blew my mucus into the tissue.
She went ice skating.The ultrasound showed the fetus.
The story started with once upon a time.The chorus sang wonderfully.
The country wants to keep the peace.I am back in the office for work.
He turned his chair to face me.Justice has been served.
She gave grace and forgave him.Silence in the room, please.
She joined the dance team last year.I love science class.
You have a great singing voice.I want to finish my sentence.
The dress was a nice look.I will balance out my day.
I made rice and chicken for dinner.She is a distance runner.
There are 4 cars on the race way.Your presence is comforting to me.
Place the cup by the sink.There is a police chase.
There is a small chance they will win.I said thank you to a service member.
He studies outer space.There is a white palace on a hill.
It was his choice to buy a car.Your absence is felt after you leave.
They found the long lost prince.He has some great advice.
The hurricane was a force of nature.She read a romance novel.
Do not forget to lace your shoes.The surface of the water is calm.
I spilled spaghetti sauce on the floor.Add lettuce to the grocery list.
He got a bounce house for his birthday party.He gave me a big embrace.
That is a high price for a car.That is a great resource for your paper.
Lance clapped for his friends.That perfume has a strong smelling fragrance.
The toddler drank his apple juice.I will notice that difference.
He rolled the dice for the game.He is late for soccer practice.
They built a high fence.I am taking a finance class.
I want to visit France.I have a smart device.
He was elected vice president.I wore a pearl necklace from my grandma.
I called you twice.I need to replace these spoons.
I ate a slice of cake.He hit her on purpose.
He is a fierce warrior.I told him to promise me he wouldn’t forget.
The needle will pierce through the cloth.I like true or false questions.
My niece smiled at me.He has a great sense of direction.
I haven’t been back since then.A new tv was a good purchase.
Brace yourself for the storm.Neglect is considered dog abuse.
I needed one ounce of baking soda.The tortoise crawled slowly through the sand.
She made a quick glance at me.I checked his pulse.
We will go house hunting to buy a house.
A mouse ran across the floor.
The mice ate the cords.
They found the stolen purse.
She felt worse off than before.
Bring the first aid kit just in case.
He plays third base.
My dog will chase the ball.
She lost her loose earrings.
Of course, we can go to the park.
The goose flew into the sky.
The nurse called me.
A moose ran through the trees.
I set the vase of flowers on the table.
I will memorize this verse.
I do not use curse words.
I gave her one dose of medicine.
That is my spouse.
I will not cease til I find the next clue.
My papa knows morse code.
I wore a pink blouse.
3 Syllable4 Syllable
Her happiness is important.He is on a journey to forgiveness.
It was a creative business plan.She felt true loneliness after her friends left.
He made a dangerous choice.The event is to bring awareness to the disease.
We studied the goddess of the ocean.I am an anonymous writer.
Uranus is a planet in the Milky Way.Ambidextrous means you can use both hands to write.
Cleanliness is important in my houseShe is really good at mathematics.
The octopus swam across the reef.It is a meticulous and detailed plan.
The politics in the news is overwhelming.My rambunctious child played outside.
It was a serious time.He was an emotionless person.
My curious cat is looking at the plant.She has ambitious goals.
She had a hopeless feeling.She received a good diagnosis.
The toddler thought he had a genius idea.They made a hypothesis.
We made a delicious cake.He was victorious.
I helped the homeless man get groceries.I have a C in my economics class.
I had a fabulous time this weekend.She has an adventurous spirit.
I like to explore the wilderness.He felt paralysis in his legs right after the accident.
I sometimes have anxious feelings.
They practiced gymnastics.
I loved that fireworks show.
They made a generous donation.
She wore her pink pajamas.
I want to take a trip to the Bahamas.
He has bronchitis.
He was surprised by the emptiness of the house.
There are four elements.
It is a loveless story.
There was a closeness between the friends.
Statistics show this state has a high voter turnout.
It was obvious he was older.
I cut back on my frivolous spending.
She felt powerless to fight back.
The dog has great genetics.
There was an ominous feeling.
We had a glorious time at dinner.
There are many obstacles.
This sickness is contagious.
He was furious when he found out.
She felt bitterness towards him.
He was a witness to the accident.
It is 5 degrees Celsius.
I love my hibiscus flower.
He was a fun but mischievous boy.
My uncle has arthritis.
He was relentless with his questions.
The platypus played in the water.
These are outrageous gas prices.
There was a hazardous sign.
A chrysalis formed on the branch.
This beach feels like paradise on earth.
I finally got my driver’s license!
The whole universe is huge.
The argument was nonsense.
final-s-sentences

SEE ALSO: Free Articulation Games for Speech Therapy

final-s-words

Final S Words Speech Therapy Ideas

Sound-Loaded Scenes

Feeling like you don’t have a lot of time to work on your child’s needs for the final s sound? 

Grab one of these sound-loaded scenes to take the hard work out of your therapy planning.

Picture Cards

Articulation cards are a simple way for your child or student to practice their sounds.

final-s

Articulation Worksheets

Working on articulation disorders doesn’t have to be boring and straight drill all of the time.

Instead here are a couple of fun worksheets that you can use in your therapy room to work on the final s sound.

Board Games

Are you looking to add some fun and engaging activities to your therapy sessions? 

Board games are a great way to reinforce practice while working on your students’ new sounds. 

Some fan-favorite board games to try are: Connect Four, Candyland, or Break the Ice to name a few. 

If you’re looking for even more board games, then be sure to check out my complete list of 29+ board games for speech therapy.

SEE ALSO: 279+ Free Speech Therapy Digital Materials

Auditory Bombardment

Another way to work on articulation practice is through auditory bombardment.

Auditory bombardment is a term used to describe the process of providing a student with an abundance of listening opportunities to hear their target sound.

This can be done in a variety of ways such as through listening activities, songs, stories, and more. 

Some therapists use auditory bombardment as the first thing they use when working on articulation therapy.

Here are a few auditory bombardment activities to work on the final s sound: 

final-s-phrases-sentences

Distance Learning

Using distance learning articulation tools are a great way to reduce the waste of paper and ink as well as they are perfect for teletherapy. 

  • Build a Sundae Initial Medial and Final S BOOM CARDS Distance Learning by Pep Talk is an engaging and fun way to practice final s while building a sundae. This is a favorite!
  • Be sure to check out my interactive flashcards above to use for distance learning practice. Simply scroll up on this post to the interactive flashcards section and start using the interactive cards now.

Boom Cards

Boom cards are another fun and engaging way to strengthen your child or student’s articulation skills.

Here are a few favorite boom cards to work on the final s sounds: 

 

In Conclusion: Final S Words Speech Therapy

We hope you have found this article helpful for working on your child or student’s final s sound. 

Be sure to grab your freebie of 20 words to start practicing 5 minutes a day!

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