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How to say the SK sound

SK as in skyIPA: /sk/

Many children can say the SK sound by about 4–5 years. Some take longer, and that can be normal.

You can hear the SK sound in words like sky, skip and skin. On this page you can listen to it, see how to make it, and find games to practise it.

Hear the sound

Press play as many times as you like.

How to make the SK sound

  1. Start with the S sound: tongue near your top teeth, voice off, air flowing.
  2. Move quickly to the K sound: back of tongue touches the soft roof, a small puff of air.
  3. Keep the two sounds close together: S then K, smooth and connected.

Words to practise

  • sky
  • skip
  • skin
  • skate
  • skull

Try this sentence

Skip under the sky.

Hear the difference

Each pair sounds almost the same, but one sound is different. Say them slowly and listen for the change.

  • skip and kip
  • skin and kin
  • skill and kill

Games for the SK sound

All games →

More to listen to

Just the sound

The sound on its own, said once.

Sound and syllables

The sound, then each syllable.

Practise the syllables

Say each syllable along with Molly.

More practice for this sound is coming soon in our lessons. Join the waitlist

Why there are two voices

One voice says whole words. Molly says the sounds and syllables. Each one says its part clearly, the same way every time.

Tips for practising at home

  • Listen to the sound a few times before you try it.
  • Say each word slowly and clearly.
  • Keep it short. 5 to 10 minutes is plenty.
  • Cheer every try, even the ones that aren't perfect.

This is practice, not therapy. If you're worried about your child's speech, talk to a speech-language therapist or your GP.