Initial K words
The /k/ sound appears near the start of the word.
- keen
- keep
- key
- kick
- kid
- kind
- king
- kirk
- kiss
- karma
633 verified words
Free articulation word lists
K Words for Speech Therapy
Find K words by word position. Each list is checked against the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, so words spelled with a c or ck — like cat and duck — are matched on the /k/ sound rather than on the letter.
K words by position
Choose a word position to see the full verified list.
/k/
Medial K words
The /k/ sound appears inside the word.
- backing
- backup
- baker
- baking
- blocking
- booking
- breaking
- broken
- broker
- checking
386 verified words
Final K words
The /k/ sound appears near the end of the word.
- back
- bike
- black
- block
- book
- brake
- break
- brick
- broke
- brook
212 verified words
When is /k/ typically acquired?
- K as in kite — 90% of US children produce it by 3;11.
Crowe & McLeod (2020), American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Check any sound by age →How to use these K word lists
Children working on /k/ often replace it with /t/ — saying tat for cat. That pattern is called velar fronting. Start with the word position selected by the SLP and pick a small group of words that fits the learner at their current practice level.
The lists check where /k/ appears in each pronunciation, not just the spelling. They do not choose a treatment target or replace clinical judgment.
Validation source
Word pronunciations are checked with the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.
Free · 5 packs to start · no card
Create a custom K practice pack
Choose the word position, age band and theme. Ga-loo builds a checked K list and a print-ready pack: picture cards, a dab game, a data sheet and a home letter.
Form pre-filled with/k/
No card requiredNo student namesFailed generations refunded
One pack includesPractice pack
- Picture cards: word, phrase, sentence8–16 verified words, each with its own picture plus a phrase and a sentence for the next level.
- Say & dab gameBig pictures with 10 dots each: 60 practice turns with no prep.
- Data sheet + probeMark 10 tries per word, then check untrained words for carryover.
- Home practice letter (B&W)Simple steps for parents and a 7-day tracker that prints on any printer.
One print-ready PDF on US Letter. Any page you don’t need can be switched off before generating.
Therapy guides
Velar fronting
“Tat” for “cat”, “doe” for “go”: when it fades, K and G minimal pairs, and placement cues.
Read the guideMinimal pairs therapy
Minimal pairs examples by pattern, how a session runs, and a worked fronting example.
Read the guideThe cycles approach
Who cycles is for, which patterns to target first, and how one cycle runs.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
- What are some initial K words?
- Common initial K words include cat, key, cake, cow, corn, and cookie. The full initial K list has 633 verified words.
- What are some medial K words?
- Medial K words are matched on pronunciation rather than spelling, so the sound is really in that part of the spoken word. The full medial K list has 386 verified words.
- What are some final K words?
- Final K words are matched on pronunciation rather than spelling, so the sound is really in that part of the spoken word. The full final K list has 212 verified words.
- When do children master the K sound?
- By Crowe & McLeod (2020), 90% of US children produce /k/ by 3;11.
- Why are words spelled with c and ck on the K list?
- Because these lists match pronunciation, not spelling. Cat, kite, and duck all contain /k/, while words like city and cent do not — those are excluded.
- Can I make a printable K sound worksheet?
- Yes. Select /k/, choose a word position and theme, and Ga-loo will create a checked, printable PDF.