Initial OW Words for Speech Therapy

Initial OW Words are words that start with the OW sound, such as out, hours, and ourselves. This list has 14 initial-position OW words for speech therapy practice, and most children master the OW sound by age 3.

OW words at the beginning: out, hours, ourselves, ours, outfit, ouch, outrageous, outfits, outcome, outrage — plus 4 more below. Initial position means the word opens on the vowel itself, with no consonant in front of it to shape the mouth first — the clearest place to hear whether the vowel is on target.

Words:14
Position:Initial

Initial OW Words — Full List (14 Words)

Every word below starts with the OW sound. Work through five at a time rather than the whole list in one sitting.

outhoursourselvesoursoutfitouchoutrageousoutfitsoutcomeoutrageoutlookoutdooroutliveouthouse
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Initial OW Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the OW sound at the beginning of words.

1

OW is a diphthong: the mouth starts in one vowel position and glides to another inside a single syllable. Say the two halves slowly and separately first, then blend them until it is one smooth movement.

2

These words open on the vowel itself, with no consonant in front of it. Say the OW sound on its own first, then carry straight on into the rest of "out" without stopping in between.

3

Use a mirror. A vowel is made by how open the jaw is and how the lips and tongue sit, not by a contact your child can feel, so watching the mouth is the clearest feedback available.

4

Practice minimal pairs — two words that differ only in this vowel. Hearing the pair back to back shows a child exactly what has to change, which a single word never does.

5

Go by sound, not spelling. English writes the OW sound several different ways, so read the words aloud together rather than teaching them as a spelling pattern.

6

Play "I Spy" with the sound rather than the letter: anything whose name begins with the OW sound counts.

Initial OW Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of OW words in the initial position?
This page lists 14 OW words that start with the OW sound, including out, hours, ourselves, ours, outfit, ouch, outrageous, outfits, outcome, outrage.
What age should a child master the OW sound?
Most children master the OW sound by age 3. Vowels come in earlier than most consonants: children generally have their full vowel system before the late-developing consonants such as /R/, /S/ and /TH/. Vowel errors are far less common than consonant errors, so one that is still there in a school-age child is worth raising with a speech-language pathologist.
How do you make the OW sound?
Cue it as the "ouch" sound. The lips should start relaxed and end rounded — if they never round, it flattens into a plain "ah".
What are common OW sound errors?
The most common OW errors are: Substituting the broad A sound (Broad A as in father) for the OW sound.; Substituting the AW sound (AW as in saw) for the OW sound..
How do you practice initial OW words at home?
OW is a diphthong: the mouth starts in one vowel position and glides to another inside a single syllable. Say the two halves slowly and separately first, then blend them until it is one smooth movement. These words open on the vowel itself, with no consonant in front of it. Say the OW sound on its own first, then carry straight on into the rest of "out" without stopping in between.

More OW Word Lists & Resources

Practice the OW sound in the other word positions, or use the full sound guide and word list.

Medial OW Words

14 words with tips

Final OW Words

14 words with tips

OW Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All OW Words

Complete 42-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice OW words with interactive activities

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