Minimal Pairs Academy

Minimal Pairs Academy (MPA)
Developed by Smarty Ears – Trusted by over 250,000 educators worldwide

Minimal Pairs Academy (MPA) is an evidence-based app designed for speech-language pathologists and parents supporting children with phonological sound disorders. Built on proven linguistic and therapeutic research, MPA helps children strengthen listening, discrimination, and speech sound production skills while practicing both word and phrase levels.

Grounded in linguistically based treatment procedures proven effective for children with multiple sound disorders (Saben & Ingham, 1991), MPA targets not only the accurate production of sounds but also their contrastive use. This approach helps reduce homophone errors caused by phonological processes and improves overall speech intelligibility.

What are phonological processes?
Phonological processes are patterns children use to simplify adult speech. The minimal pairs approach pairs a child’s typical error sound with its correct target, a research-supported method that promotes more accurate and meaningful communication (Barlow & Gierut, 2002).

Targets and Activities
MPA covers 23 of the most common phonological processes through four engaging, interactive activities and an animated introduction that makes minimal pair learning engaging and effective. With more than 900 words organized across 23 minimal pair sets, MPA includes:
1. Auditory Bombardment – Exposure to words with both auditory and visual cues.
2. Auditory Discrimination – Identification of the correct sound by selecting the target word.
3. Production Practice – Opportunity to practice target words, with optional visual support for paired words.
4. Phrase Completion – Selection of the correct target word to complete a phrase, promoting carryover into connected speech.

Powerful Data Tracking and Reporting
MPA includes robust tracking and reporting tools designed to support data-driven therapy decisions. Features include:
• Session summaries for each student
• Progress graphs by process and over time
• Student statistics, including age, time in therapy, and processes addressed or mastered
• “Mastered” stamps to track and celebrate progress
• Options to email or print reports directly from AirPrint-enabled devices

Key Features
• Evidence-based treatment approach
• More than 900 words targeting 23 phonological process