42 AW Words for Speech Therapy

This list has 42 AW words for speech therapy: 14 with the AW sound at the beginning, 14 in the middle, and 14 at the end. Use them for practice at home or in the clinic, and expect most children to master the AW sound by age 3.

Example AW words: all, or, off, always, already (beginning); for, your, more, talk, thought (middle); saw, law, draw, shaw, jaw (end).

Total words:42
Initial:14
Medial:14
Final:14

Initial AW Words (14)

Words with the AW sound at the beginning of words. 14 words for speech therapy practice.

alloroffalwaysalreadyalsoofficealmostorderofficeroughtalrightofferorders
View initial position practice tips

Medial AW Words (14)

Words with the AW sound in the middle of words. 14 words for speech therapy practice.

foryourmoretalkthoughtbeforelongwrongwantedtalkingcoursecalledgonelost
View medial position practice tips

Final AW Words (14)

Words with the AW sound at the end of words. 14 words for speech therapy practice.

sawlawdrawshawjawwithdrawstrawutahclawflawwichitajigsawthawgnaw
View final position practice tips

About the AW Sound

Background information to help you support your child's speech development.

The rounded "aw" vowel in saw, ball, dog and taught. The tongue is low and back like broad A, but the lips round. Note for families: many American speakers have the "cot–caught merger" and pronounce this exactly like broad A — if that is true in your household, treat the two as one sound rather than drilling a contrast your child never hears.

Most children master the AW 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 to Practice AW Words at Home

Evidence-based strategies for getting the most out of word list practice.

1

Start with just 5 words at a time. Short, focused practice sessions (5-10 minutes) are more effective than long ones.

2

Say each word slowly and clearly so your child can hear the AW sound. Exaggerate the sound slightly.

3

Practice words in all three positions (initial, medial, final) but focus on whichever position your child finds easiest first.

4

Once individual words are easy, combine them into short phrases and sentences for carryover practice.

5

Use a mirror during practice so your child can see their mouth movements and compare them to yours.

6

Keep it fun — turn the word list into a game, use stickers as rewards, or practice during everyday activities.

AW Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are some AW words for speech therapy?
Common AW words include all, or, off, always, already at the beginning of a word, for, your, more, talk, thought in the middle, and saw, law, draw, shaw, jaw at the end of a word. This page lists 42 in total.
How many AW words are on this list?
42: 14 initial-position words, 14 medial-position words, and 14 final-position words.
At what age should a child master the AW sound?
Most children master the AW 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 AW sound?
Cue the lip rounding directly — "make a little circle with your lips". If your family merges cot and caught, skip minimal pairs like cot/caught and practise the words as vocabulary instead.
What are common AW sound errors?
The most common AW errors are: Substituting the broad A sound (Broad A as in father) for the AW sound.; Substituting the long O sound (Long O as in boat) for the AW sound..

More AW Sound Resources

Explore our complete guide, position-specific lists, and interactive games for the AW sound.

AW Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, tips, and FAQ

Initial AW Words

14 words with practice tips and sentences

Medial AW Words

14 words with practice tips and sentences

Final AW Words

14 words with practice tips and sentences

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each speech sound should appear

All Speech Therapy Word Lists

Word lists for every sound we cover

Speech Therapy Activities

Ways to practice AW words beyond the list

Practice with Games

Interactive games and practice tools for the AW sound

Practice AW Words with Interactive Games

Turn this word list into fun practice sessions with pronunciation games, stories, and flashcards targeting the AW sound.

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