How to Teach CH Sound: Articulation Activities, and Word Lists for Effective Speech Therapy

The “ch” sound is an unvoiced postalveolar affricate, which means that it is produced by a combination of a stop and a fricative. First, the airflow from the lungs is stopped by the tongue pressing against the roof of the mouth just behind the alveolar ridge. Then, the tongue quickly moves away, allowing air to pass through a narrow channel created by the tongue and the roof of the mouth, creating a hissing or shushing sound.

To produce the “ch” sound, you need to place the front part of your tongue behind the alveolar ridge, which is the bony ridge behind your upper front teeth, and then stop the airflow from your lungs by pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Then, you quickly release the pressure, allowing air to pass through the narrow gap between your tongue and the roof of your mouth while simultaneously creating a fricative sound by forcing the air through the gap. This creates a hissing or shushing sound that is characterized by a quick, sharp burst of noise. You can try producing this sound by saying the word “chat” or “church” and paying attention to the way your tongue and breath work together to create the sound. In phonetics, this sound is represented by the symbol /tʃ/. It is also sometimes referred to as the “voiceless postalveolar affricate.”

Here are few tips you can follow to teach the “CH” sound:

Demonstrate the sound: Start by demonstrating the “CH” sound for your child. Make the sound and have your child watch your lips and mouth movements. Explain that the sound is made by making a tight “o” shape with your mouth and then pushing air out while releasing the lips.

Visual Cue: Show the child how to place their tongue on the roof of their mouth, just behind their front teeth, and then release a burst of air while making a voiceless sound. You can use a mirror to help the child see how their tongue is positioned. You can also use a visual cue such as a picture or flashcard of a “CH” to help your child remember the sound.

Understand the sound: Help your child understand that the “CH” sound is a voiceless consonant made by making a tight “o” shape with your mouth and then pushing air out while releasing the lips.

Practice Blowing: Help your child get used to the sensation of blowing out air with their mouth by having them practice blowing bubbles, blowing feathers across a table, or blowing out candles.

Practice Tongue Placement: Show your child how to keep their tongue relaxed and pushed down behind their bottom teeth while making the “CH” sound. You can make it more fun by having them imitate animal sounds, such as a cat hissing or a snake slithering, while using the “CH” sound.

Practice in Isolation: Once your child has mastered the correct tongue and mouth position, have them practice making the “CH” sound on its own without any other sounds.

Add Syllables: After your child has mastered the “CH” sound in isolation, have them practice using it in different syllables, such as “cha,” “che,” and “cho.” You can make it more fun by having them say words like “chicken,” “cherry,” and “chocolate.”

Practice in Words: Once your child has mastered the “CH” sound in syllables, have them practice using it in different words such as “chair,” “cheese,” and “chocolate.”

Practice in Phrases: After your child has mastered the “CH” sound in words, have them practice using it in phrases like “big chair,” “yellow cheese,” and “hot chocolate.”

Practice in Sentences: Finally, have your child practice using the “CH” sound in different sentences such as “I sit in the chair,” “The cheese is delicious,” and “I love hot chocolate.”

Practice Everywhere: Encourage your child to practice using the “CH” sound in different contexts, such as during playtime, mealtime, or while reading books. You can also make it more fun by having them use the “CH” sound in different accents or dialects.

Free CH interactive audio flashcards featuring words with the “CH” sound words can be a useful tool for improving pronunciation and vocabulary.