Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a pig. Next to it was a pizza and a pear. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a penguin and a popcorn. What a great day!
P
P sound /p/
A quiet popping sound made by closing the lips and letting air burst out.
American English pronunciation model · voiceless · lips (bilabial) · stop · spellings: p, pp
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/p/ · Popping sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice off · no buzz · Airflow
Close your lips, then let out a little puff.
Both lips make the closure. The tongue does not block the air.
Movement 1/3: Lips together
The camera view stays on this device. Nothing is recorded, saved or uploaded.
How to Make the Sound
/p/
Voice switched OFF
Put your hand on your throat — it should stay still and quiet. Only air.
Remember it: Popping sound — hold a tissue in front of your lips and make it move.
- Tongue
- The tongue rests in the bottom of the mouth. It does not help with this sound.
- Lips and jaw
- Press both lips together, then open them quickly.
- Air
- Air builds up behind the lips and comes out in one small puff.
Step by step
- Close your lips.
- Let a little air build up behind them.
- Pop your lips open with a puff — p.
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /b/ ("big" for "pig"). Use the tissue: /p/ makes it flutter, /b/ barely does. Whisper the sound to keep the voice off.
- Leaving /p/ off the end of words. Exaggerate the final puff at first, e.g. "cu-p", then make it smaller.
Step up gradually
- 1. Sound on its own
- 2. Syllables
- 3. Words
- 4. Phrases
- 5. Sentences
- 6. Everyday talk
A sound can be easier on its own than in connected speech. Move on only when your child is saying it accurately and feels ready — not just because a worksheet is finished. Read the Parent Guide
1. Sound in isolation
/p/
Lips together, then a little puff of air: p-p-p.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
pa
pee
po
poo
pi
apa
eepa
opa
ap
eep
op
Initial position
pig
/p/ · initial
“my pig”
pizza
/p/ · initial
“my pizza”
pear
/p/ · initial
“my pear”
penguin
/p/ · initial
“my penguin”
popcorn
/p/ · initial
“my popcorn”
panda
/p/ · initial
“my panda”
Medial position
apple
/p/ · medial
“my apple”
puppy
/p/ · medial
“my puppy”
happy
/p/ · medial
“a happy face”
hippo
/p/ · medial
“my hippo”
Final position
cup
/p/ · final
“my cup”
map
/p/ · final
“my map”
sheep
/p/ · final
“my sheep”
soap
/p/ · final
“my soap”
mop
/p/ · final
“my mop”
Short phrases
- my pig
- my pizza
- my pear
- my penguin
- my popcorn
- my panda
- my apple
- my puppy
- a happy face
- my hippo
- my cup
- my map
Sentences
- I can see the pig.
- I can see the pizza.
- I can see the pear.
- I can see the penguin.
- I can see the popcorn.
- I can see the panda.
- I can see the apple.
- I can see the puppy.
- I can see the happy.
- I can see the hippo.