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

To teach the SH sound, have the child pull the tongue up and back toward the roof of the mouth (not touching), round the lips forward like a fish, and let air flow steadily over the tongue — a long “shhh,” like telling someone to be quiet. Practice in order: the sound alone, then syllables (sha, she, sho), then words (shoe, fish, wash), then phrases and sentences. The /sh/ sound is a voiceless sound and usually develops by around age 4 to 5. If your child says “s” instead (“soe” for “shoe”), the fix is pulling the tongue back and rounding the lips — the “quiet shhh” cue and a mirror both help.

Initial SH Words (words that start with SH)

1-syllable: shack, shade, shake, shall, shame, shape, share, shark, sharp, shave, shawl, she, shed, sheep, sheet, shelf, shell, shine, ship, shirt, shock, shoe, shook, shoot, shop, shore, short, shot, shout, show, shower, shred, shrug, shush, shut, shy

2-syllable: shadow, shaggy, shaker, shampoo, shapes, sharpen, shatter, shaving, sheepish, shelter, sheriff, shimmer, shingle, shipment, shipping, shiny, shipwreck, shiver, shocking, shoelace, shoreline, shortcake, shotgun, shoulder, shovel, shower, shrapnel, shrinking, shrimp, shutter, shuttle

Medial SH Words (SH sound in the middle)

2-syllable: ashes, bishop, brushing, cashew, crashing, cushion, dishes, fashion, fishing, flashlight, lotion (soft), machine, mushroom, ocean, pushup, tissue, washing, washer, wishing

3-syllable: dishwasher, milkshake, national, seashell, sunshine

Final SH Words (words that end with SH)

1-syllable: ash, brush, bush, cash, crash, dash, dish, fish, flash, fresh, gush, hush, leash, mash, mesh, mush, push, rash, rush, sash, splash, squash, swish, trash, wash, wish

2-syllable: eyelash, finish, goldfish, jellyfish, polish, punish, radish, rubbish, selfish, starfish

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

Demonstrate the sound: Start by demonstrating the “Sh blend” sound for your child. Make the sound and have your child watch your lips and mouth movements. Explain that the sound is made by bringing the tongue close to the roof of the mouth and forcing air through a small space between the teeth, while also rounding the lips slightly.

Visual Cue: Show the child how to place the tip of their tongue behind their upper front teeth and the middle/back part of their tongue towards the roof of the mouth, leaving a gap for air to pass through. You can use a visual cue such as a picture or flashcard of “Sh” to help your child remember the sound.

Understand the sound: Help your child understand that the “Sh blend” sound is a combination of the “S” and “H” sounds, made by bringing the tongue close to the roof of the mouth and forcing air through a small space between the teeth, while also rounding the lips slightly.

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 position their tongue close to the roof of their mouth and force air through a small space between their teeth, while also rounding their lips slightly to make the “Sh blend” sound. You can make it more fun by having them imitate the sound of a train or a ship while using the “Sh blend” sound.

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

Add Syllables: After your child has mastered the “Sh blend” sound in isolation, have them practice using it in different syllables, such as “sha,” “shi,” “sho,” and “shu.” You can make it more fun by having them say words like “shark,” “shoe,” and “sheep.”

Practice in Words: Once your child has mastered the “Sh blend” sound in syllables, have them practice using it in different words such as “shell,” “shop,” and “shower.”

Practice in Phrases: After your child has mastered the “Sh blend” sound in words, have them practice using it in phrases like “big shell,” “silly shop,” and “warm shower.”

Practice in Sentences: Finally, have your child practice using the “Sh blend” sound in different sentences such as “She sells seashells by the seashore,” “I like to shop for shoes,” and “The shower is refreshing.”

Practice Everywhere: Encourage your child to practice using the “Sh blend” 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 “Sh blend” sound in different accents or dialects.

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