November 7th
International Tongue Twister Day
by Karen Burns
According to Google a tongue twister is: a sequence of words or sounds, typically of an
alliterative kind, that are difficult to pronounce quickly and correctly, as for example Peter
Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper.
Tongue twisters were very popular in the 19th century and actually featured in school
curriculums as part of elocution lessons. The ability to speak clearly and without an accent
was highly prized many years ago.
Tongue twisters can still provide lots of fun for children and adults alike, especially if you
encourage children to make up their own tongue twisters. With their frequent use of alliteration
(all words starting with the same consonant sound) they are an excellent phonic activity.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Crisp crusts crackle and crunch
Twelve twins twirled twelve twigs
Daddy Draws Doors
Five frantic frogs fled from fifty fierce fishes
Six slippery snails slid slowly seaward
The fun comes when you try to repeat the tongue twister several times quickly!
Some of the shortest ones can be the hardest, try saying ‘Red lorry,yellow lorry “ quickly 4 times!!
HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH WORDS!