Initial Voiced TH Words for Speech Therapy

Initial Voiced TH Words are words that start with the voiced /TH/ sound, such as the, this, and that. This list has 14 initial-position Voiced TH words for speech therapy practice.

Voiced TH words at the beginning: the, this, that, these, those, they, them, their, there, then — plus 4 more below. Initial position puts the target sound at the very start, which makes it the easiest place to introduce a new sound.

Words:14
Position:Initial

Initial Voiced TH Words — Full List (14 Words)

Every word below starts with the voiced /TH/ sound. Work through five at a time rather than the whole list in one sitting.

thethisthatthesethosetheythemtheirtherethenthanthoughthemselvestherefore
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Initial Voiced TH Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the voiced /TH/ sound at the beginning of words.

1

Start by saying the voiced /TH/ sound in isolation, then immediately follow it with the vowel in the word. For example, stretch out "the" as "TH...the".

2

Use a mirror so your child can watch their mouth as they start each word with the voiced /TH/ sound.

3

Practice just the first syllable of each word before saying the whole word. This builds confidence with the sound at the start.

4

Play "I Spy" with objects that start with the voiced /TH/ sound to make practice feel like a game.

5

Read books together and have your child point out words that begin with the voiced /TH/ sound.

Practice Sentences with Initial Voiced TH Words

Read these sentences aloud. Words with the voiced /TH/ sound in initial position are highlighted.

This is the feather that my brother found.

Mother and Father are in the other room.

They gather together in any weather.

Breathe in, then breathe out smoothly.

Neither of them wanted to bother.

Those are their clothes, not these.

Rather than bathe, the dog rolled in the leather chair.

Whether it rains or not, they will be there.

Initial Voiced TH Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of Voiced TH words in the initial position?
This page lists 14 Voiced TH words that start with the voiced /TH/ sound, including the, this, that, these, those, they, them, their, there, then.
What age should a child master the Voiced TH sound?
Most children master the voiced /TH/ (as in "this") between ages 5;0 and 5;11 (by their sixth birthday). Both TH sounds are among the last consonants to develop, and substituting /D/, /V/ or /Z/ for the voiced one — "dis" for "this," "vat" for "that" — is a normal pattern in younger children.
How do you make the Voiced TH sound?
Rest the tip of your tongue lightly between your upper and lower front teeth, or just behind the upper teeth. Turn your voice on and let it buzz through — a hand on the throat should feel a clear vibration. Keep the contact gentle: biting down hard makes the sound difficult to release into the vowel that follows. If you feel no vibration, you have produced the voiceless /TH/ in "think" instead.
What are common Voiced TH sound errors?
The most common voiced /TH/ errors are: Substituting /D/ for voiced /TH/ (e.g., "dis" for "this"); Substituting /V/ for voiced /TH/ (e.g., "vat" for "that"); Substituting /Z/ for voiced /TH/ (e.g., "brozer" for "brother"); Turning the voice off, which produces the voiceless /TH/ in "think" instead; Pressing the tongue too hard between the teeth, so the sound cannot release into the next vowel.
How do you practice initial Voiced TH words at home?
Start by saying the voiced /TH/ sound in isolation, then immediately follow it with the vowel in the word. For example, stretch out "the" as "TH...the". Use a mirror so your child can watch their mouth as they start each word with the voiced /TH/ sound.

More Voiced TH Word Lists & Resources

Practice the voiced /TH/ sound in the other word positions, or use the full sound guide and word list.

Medial Voiced TH Words

20 words with tips

Final Voiced TH Words

10 words with tips

Voiced TH Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All Voiced TH Words

Complete 44-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice Voiced TH words with interactive activities

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