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

To teach the TH sound, have the child gently place the tongue tip between the front teeth and blow air out over the tongue. There are two TH sounds made the same way: the voiceless “th” in “think” and “bath” (just air), and the voiced “th” in “this” and “mother” (air plus voice). Practice in order: the sound alone, then syllables (tha, thi, tho), then words (thumb, think, bath), then phrases and sentences. There are two TH sounds — voiceless “th” (as in think, bath) and voiced “th” (as in this, mother). TH is one of the later sounds to develop: current norms place voiced /th/ at ages 5;0–5;11 and voiceless /th/ at ages 6;0–6;11, so it’s normal for younger children to still be working on it.

Initial TH Words (words that start with TH)

Voiceless /θ/ (think): thank, theme, thick, thief, thigh, thin, thing, think, third, thirsty, thirteen, thirty, thorn, thought, thousand, thumb, thunder, Thursday

Voiced /ð/ (this): than, that, the, their, them, then, there, these, they, this, those, though, thus

Medial TH Words (TH in the middle)

Voiceless: anything, athlete, bathtub, birthday, everything, healthy, marathon, method, nothing, python, something, toothbrush, toothpaste

Voiced: brother, clothing, either, father, feather, gather, leather, mother, other, rather, weather, together, whether

Final TH Words (words that end with TH)

Voiceless: bath, both, cloth, earth, fourth, math, mouth, north, path, teeth, tenth, tooth, with, worth

Voiced: bathe, breathe, clothe, smooth, soothe, teethe

Here are few tips you can follow to teach the Th sound:

Demonstrate the sound: Start by demonstrating the “Th 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 placing the tongue between the teeth and blowing air through the small gap between the tongue and the teeth, while also rounding the lips slightly.

Visual Cue: Show your child how to rest the tongue tip gently between the front teeth so you can just see it, keep the lips relaxed, and blow air out over the tongue for a long “th.”

Understand the sound: Understand the sound: The “TH” sound is a single sound made by placing the tongue tip lightly between the front teeth and blowing air out over it. It isn’t a blend, and it isn’t “t” plus “h” — there’s no stop at the start. There are two versions: voiceless (think) with just air, and voiced (this) with the voice turned on..

Practice Tongue Placement: Practice Tongue Placement: Help your child rest the tongue tip gently between the front teeth so you can just see it, keep the lips relaxed, and blow air out over the tongue for a long “th.”.

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

Add Syllables: After your child has mastered the “Th blend” sound in isolation, have them practice using it in different syllables, such as “tha,” “thi,” “tho,” and “thu.” You can make it more fun by having them say words like “thick,” “thumb,” and “thought.”

Practice in Words: Once your child has mastered the “Th blend” sound in syllables, have them practice using it in different words such as “thank,” “think,” and “thunder.”

Practice in Phrases: After your child has mastered the “Th blend” sound in words, have them practice using it in phrases like “big thumb,” “silly thought,” and “warm weather.”

Practice in Sentences: Finally, have your child practice using the “Th blend” sound in different sentences such as “I think that’s a great idea,” “The weather is getting colder,” and “My thumb hurts.”

Practice Everywhere: Encourage your child to practice the “TH” sound in different contexts — during playtime, mealtime, or while reading books together.

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