The Benefits of Tongue Twisters– Celebrating #NationalTongueTwisterDay!

Jolly juggling jesters jauntily juggled jingling jacks.

Did you know that today, November 8, 2018 is National Tongue Twister Day?!? Tongue twisters are those fun but sometimes annoying patterns of words that rhyme or start with the same letter and are always difficult to say clearly (and without giggling!) Many parents use tongue twisters as a way to entertain their children. But did you know there are also benefits to tongue twisters?

What are the benefits of tongue twisters?

  • Tongue twisters have been proven to clarify the pronunciation of words.
  • Tongue twisters also stretch and strengthen the muscles which you use to speak. (Who knew you had to exercise your mouth?)
  • Tongue Twisters show you what words and sounds you have trouble with pronouncing.
  • Tongue twisters warm up your speaking ability. You will find that performers and public speakers often speak tongue twisters before they go out on stage.

 

Ok, after reading that you may be wondering who are the individuals who created the tongue twister. Well we don’t really know. Some people say the geniuses  behind the tongue twister were parents of children who were looking for a way to entertain and teach their children. Others say it was scholars who created tongue twisters for their students. I prefer the first theory.

Tongue twisters are a great way for a family to have some fun. Below are some of my favorite tongue twisters. Try your hand at them and comment down below if you were able to get them out clearly.

Your turn to try your hand at 10 of my favorite tongue twisters.

  1. If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch which watch?
  2. Whether the weather be fine or whether the weather be no, whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not.
  3. Toy boat, toy boat, toy boat. (say this 10 times fast)
  4. Rubber baby buggy bumpers.
  5. I thought a thought but the thought I thought, wasn’t the thought you thought I though.
  6. A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.
  7. Swan swam over the sea, swim, swan,  swim! Swan swam back again well swum, swan!
  8. How can a clam cram in a clean cream can.
  9. Loopy lizards lying lazily aloft a little lane of logs.
  10. Fresh, fried, fish, fish, fresh, fried, fried, fish, fresh.

Looking for some fun resources?

Here’s an activity where your children can write a tongue twister of their own using a specific letter. 

Check out these super fun tongue twister coloring sheets.

Really into tongue twisters? Here’s 50 to help improve your pronunciation!

Wondering what MIT notes as the most difficult tongue twister?? We have your answer!

Tongue Twisters For The WIN!

So, here’s the fun part!! Find the tongue Twister graphic on our Facebook page or Instagram feed and leave a comment with your favorite tongue twister. You’ll be entered to win a copy of the  Teach Them Diligently Book! We’ll pick the winner on Friday, November 9th!