CH Sound: Speech Therapy Guide, Words & Games
The /CH/ sound is written /tʃ/ in the phonetic alphabet, and most children master it by age 4-6. This guide covers how to make the /CH/ sound, 60 practice words split across initial, medial, and final position, and the errors children make most often, plus 8 games for practicing it.
Example CH words: chair, chalk, chance, change (beginning); beach ball, catcher, catching, hatching (middle); beach, bench, branch, catch (end).
The /CH/ sound is a voiceless postalveolar affricate. It is a combination of /T/ and /SH/ produced in rapid succession. The tongue starts in the /T/ position (pressed against the ridge behind the upper teeth) and quickly releases into the /SH/ position, creating a short burst of friction.
How to Make the CH Sound
Start with your tongue tip pressed firmly against the ridge behind your upper front teeth, as if you are about to say /T/. Round your lips slightly. Then quickly release the tongue into the /SH/ position, letting a burst of air escape. The result is a quick, sharp sound — like the sound of a train: "ch-ch-ch." Your voice stays off.
IPA Symbol: /tʃ/
Most children master the /CH/ sound by age 4-6. It often develops after a child has acquired /T/ and /SH/ individually, since /CH/ is a combination of these two sounds.
Common CH Sound Errors
- Substituting /SH/ for /CH/ (e.g., "shair" for "chair")
- Substituting /T/ for /CH/ (e.g., "tair" for "chair")
- Substituting /TS/ for /CH/ (e.g., "tsair" for "chair")
- Producing /CH/ without enough lip rounding
- Making the sound too prolonged instead of a quick burst
CH Word Lists by Position
Practice these words organized by where the /CH/ sound appears. Start with the position your child finds easiest, or open the complete CH word list.
Initial CH Words
/CH/ at the beginning of words
Medial CH Words
/CH/ in the middle of words
Final CH Words
/CH/ at the end of words
How to Practice CH Words at Home
Evidence-based strategies parents can use to support /CH/ sound practice.
Teach /CH/ as a "sneeze" sound — say "ah-CHOO!" to help your child feel the burst of air.
Break it down: practice /T/ and /SH/ separately first, then combine them faster and faster until they merge into /CH/.
Use the "train" cue: have your child pretend to be a train going "ch-ch-ch-ch" to practice the quick burst.
Hold a tissue in front of the mouth — when /CH/ is produced correctly, the tissue should puff forward with each burst.
Compare /SH/ and /CH/: hold /SH/ for 3 seconds ("shhhh"), then show that /CH/ is the same sound but as a quick pop.
Practice /CH/ in fun words kids love: "chocolate," "cheese," "chicken," "cherry," "champion."
Use hand signals: a slow sweeping motion for /SH/ and a quick chopping motion for /CH/ to reinforce the difference.
Practice Sentences for the CH Sound
Read these sentences aloud with your child. Words containing the /CH/ sound are highlighted.
Charlie chose chocolate chip cookies and cherry cheesecake.
The teacher checked the children in the kitchen.
Catch the beach ball before it reaches the bench.
Each child had a chance to choose a peach.
The chick hatched and chirped on the church porch.
The champion marched to the couch to watch the match.
Chuck munched on a cheese sandwich for lunch.
The pitcher threw a pitch and the catcher caught it.
Games for the CH Sound
Practice the /CH/ sound with interactive games designed by speech pathologists.
Bubble Pop
/CH/ practice
Memory Match
/CH/ practice
Pizza Builder
/CH/ practice
Word Runner
/CH/ practice
Space Blaster
/CH/ practice
Sound Fishing
/CH/ practice
Whack-a-Word
/CH/ practice
Story Adventure
/CH/ practice
CH Sound — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions parents ask about the /CH/ sound in speech therapy.
When should my child be able to say the /CH/ sound?
My child says /SH/ instead of /CH/. How do I help?
How is /CH/ different from /J/?
Should I work on /T/ and /SH/ before /CH/?
What are some fun ways to practice /CH/ at home?
More CH Word Lists & Resources
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