SH Sound: Speech Therapy Guide, Words & Games
The /SH/ sound is written /ʃ/ in the phonetic alphabet, and most children master it by age 4-6. This guide covers how to make the /SH/ 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 SH words: shake, shape, share, shark (beginning); bushes, cashew, cushion, dishes (middle); brush, bush, cash, crash (end).
The /SH/ sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative. It is produced by rounding the lips slightly and pulling the tongue back so the broad front of the tongue is close to the roof of the mouth behind the alveolar ridge. Air is pushed through this wide channel, creating a hushing noise.
How to Make the SH Sound
Round your lips slightly and push them forward, as if about to blow a kiss. Pull your tongue back so the wide front part is near the roof of your mouth, just behind the bumpy ridge. The sides of your tongue should touch your upper back teeth. Blow air through the channel between your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Your voice stays off — it should sound like you are saying "shhh" to quiet someone.
IPA Symbol: /ʃ/
Most children master the /SH/ sound by age 4-6. It is one of the earlier-developing fricatives and often emerges naturally as children begin to produce more complex sounds.
Common SH Sound Errors
- Substituting /S/ for /SH/ (e.g., "soe" for "shoe")
- Not rounding the lips enough, causing the sound to come out as /S/
- Tongue positioned too far forward, resulting in a lisp-like distortion
- Substituting /CH/ for /SH/ (e.g., "choe" for "shoe")
- Producing a lateral (side-air-escape) version of /SH/
SH Word Lists by Position
Practice these words organized by where the /SH/ sound appears. Start with the position your child finds easiest, or open the complete SH word list.
Initial SH Words
/SH/ at the beginning of words
Medial SH Words
/SH/ in the middle of words
Final SH Words
/SH/ at the end of words
How to Practice SH Words at Home
Evidence-based strategies parents can use to support /SH/ sound practice.
Use the "quiet" cue: tell your child to put their finger to their lips and say "shhh" like they are telling a baby to be quiet.
Emphasize lip rounding — have your child practice making a "fish face" or "kissing face" before producing the sound.
Compare /S/ and /SH/ side by side: /S/ has a narrow smile with tongue tip forward, /SH/ has rounded lips with tongue pulled back.
Use visual cues: show pictures of things that make /SH/ sounds (ocean waves, a quiet library) to reinforce the sound.
Practice /SH/ in isolation until solid, then move to syllables (sha, she, sho) before tackling full words.
Try the "creeping S" technique: start with /S/ and slowly round the lips and pull the tongue back until it becomes /SH/.
Play sorting games where your child separates /S/ words from /SH/ words to build auditory discrimination.
Practice Sentences for the SH Sound
Read these sentences aloud with your child. Words containing the /SH/ sound are highlighted.
Shelly shared her shiny shells by the seashore.
The ship sailed through the shadow of the shark.
Please put the dishes in the washing machine.
She wished for a fish-shaped cushion.
The sunshine made the ocean shimmer and shine.
Sherman wore a sharp shirt to the fashion show.
Brush your teeth before the shower, please.
The shy sheep shuffled through the bushes.
Games for the SH Sound
Practice the /SH/ sound with interactive games designed by speech pathologists.
Bubble Pop
/SH/ practice
Sound Fishing
/SH/ practice
Memory Match
/SH/ practice
Pizza Builder
/SH/ practice
Space Blaster
/SH/ practice
Word Runner
/SH/ practice
Whack-a-Word
/SH/ practice
Story Adventure
/SH/ practice
SH Sound — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions parents ask about the /SH/ sound in speech therapy.
When should my child be able to say the /SH/ sound?
How is /SH/ different from /S/?
My child can say /SH/ in some words but not others. Why?
Is /SH/ the same as /CH/?
What activities help with the /SH/ sound at home?
More SH Word Lists & Resources
Ready to practice the /SH/ sound?
Join SpeechTherapyMagic for interactive games, personalized stories, and smart flashcards targeting the /SH/ sound.
Get Started Free