For a comprehensive explanation of the kinematic scoring logic, anatomical foundations, and the mathematical formula used to generate these rankings, please download the full framework:
Advanced Kinematic Word Databases
A Precision Tool for Speech Therapy
This section provides free, open-access word lists for every English consonant target sound, ranked by their Total Motor Score (TMS). This resource is designed to help anyone involved in speech therapy—including SLPs, assistants (SLPAs/CDAs), teachers, and parents—organize therapy using a logical progression from simple motor planning to complex sequencing.
Scoring Logic
The Total Motor Score (TMS) is a combined value based on five research-backed factors:
- Acquisition: Based on the typical age a child learns a sound (Early vs. Late).
- Articulation Place: The physical precision required for the sound’s position in the mouth.
- Vowel Kinematics: Scores the motor demand of the vowels (jaw grading and lingual movement).
- Groups: Group 1 (No consonant clusters) vs. Group 2 (Includes clusters).
- Word Shape: Structural patterns from simple (CV) to complex (CVCVC).
How to Use These Databases
The logic is intuitive: Low Score = Easier Motor Planning; High Score = Higher Motor Demand.
- Select a Target: Download the database for the specific consonant sound you are working on.
- Establish Success: Start with Group 1 words with the lowest TMS scores to build initial accuracy and confidence.
- Increase the Challenge: Progress to higher scores and Group 2 words (those containing clusters) to build motor stability and coordination.
Project Methodology & Sources
This database was processed in Python using a custom engine based on the Advanced Kinematic Framework. The following primary sources were used for data processing:
- CMU Pronouncing Dictionary — phonetic and phoneme source (accessed via NLTK)
- NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) — phonological lookup and linguistic data access
- python-docx — reading, generating, and formatting Microsoft Word (.docx) documents
- re (Python standard library) — text cleaning and regular-expression processing
- operator (Python standard library) — data sorting using itemgetter
Open Science & Collaboration
- Python Scripts: To support researchers and developers, the original Python scripts are available for download. Use them to analyze custom lists or refine the kinematic logic.
- Accents: Transcriptions use a standard North American baseline; use the scores as a relative guide for regional dialects and accents.
- Improve the Model: This is a living project. Even with its structured logic, it is not perfect. We invite researchers and anyone interested in motor speech to use these tools for free, critique the script, and help us improve the model.
To download the processed word lists, click on any phoneme below.
Each list contains words ranked by TMS (speech motor load) for that sound.
/b, p, t, d, k, g/ (stops)
/f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, h/ (fricatives)
/m, n, ŋ/ (nasals)
/l, r/ (approximants)
/w, j/ (glides)
/tʃ, dʒ/ (affricates)
For those interested in the technical framework or wanting to analyze custom word sets, the original Python analysis scripts are available for download.
Technical Note on the Word Rankings
This list has been organized using a specialized computational system that ranks word difficulty based on the motor-planning movements required for clear speech. Because English phonetics are exceptionally complex, no digital analysis is 100% perfect.
You may occasionally find a word where the phonetic symbols or the difficulty score seem unusual—this is simply a technical limitation of the analysis system. If a specific word appears to be an error, please skip it and proceed to the next one. This list is intended as a helpful guide to prioritize practice, with over 95% of the data providing a reliable path for speech development.
- File: TMS - b-motor-analysis-coarticulation.py
Requirements: Python 3.x, eng_to_ipa, python-docx
Usage: This script automates the phonetic transcription and applies the 5-factor kinematic scoring to any Word document list.
Work in Progress
We are currently finalizing the data processing for the full consonant library. All TMS Databases and the Python Script are scheduled to be uploaded and available for free download by the end of January 2026.
Thank you for your patience as we prepare these precision tools for the community.
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