Medial TH Words for Speech Therapy

Medial TH Words are words that have the /TH/ sound in the middle, such as anything, athlete, and athletic. This list has 20 medial-position TH words for speech therapy practice.

TH words in the middle: anything, athlete, athletic, author, bathrobe, bathroom, bathtub, birthday, earthquake, everything — plus 10 more below. Medial position surrounds the target sound with other sounds, which builds fluency and carryover into connected speech.

Words:20
Position:Medial

Medial TH Words — Full List (20 Words)

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

anythingathleteathleticauthorbathrobebathroombathtubbirthdayearthquakeeverythinghealthymarathonmethodmonthsnothingpantherpythonsomethingtoothbrushtoothpaste
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How to Practice Medial TH Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the /TH/ sound in the middle of words.

1

Break words into syllables and have your child practice the syllable containing the /TH/ sound first, then put the word back together.

2

Medial position words can be trickier because the /TH/ sound is surrounded by other sounds. Slow the word down so your child can feel each part.

3

Clap out the syllables of each word and emphasize the syllable with the /TH/ sound.

4

Use these words in short, natural phrases (e.g., "I see a anything") to practice in connected speech.

5

Once your child can say the word slowly with the correct /TH/ sound, gradually speed up to a natural pace.

Practice Sentences with Medial TH Words

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

Thank you for my birthday gift and a thoughtful card.

An athlete ran thirteen miles in a marathon.

Both kids had healthy teeth after brushing.

A thirsty panther drank from a stream down south.

Medial TH Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of TH words in the medial position?
This page lists 20 TH words that have the /TH/ sound in the middle, including anything, athlete, athletic, author, bathrobe, bathroom, bathtub, birthday, earthquake, everything.
What age should a child master the TH sound?
Most children master the voiceless /TH/ (as in "think") between ages 6;0 and 6;11 (by their seventh birthday). It is one of the last consonants to develop, and substituting /F/ or /T/ for it is a normal part of speech development in younger children.
How do you make the TH sound?
Stick the tip of your tongue out slightly between your upper and lower front teeth (or place it just behind the upper teeth). Blow air gently over the tongue without using your voice — put a hand on your throat and you should feel nothing. It is a quiet, breathy sound, not a buzz. If you feel a vibration, you have made the voiced /TH/ in "this" instead.
What are common TH sound errors?
The most common /TH/ errors are: Substituting /F/ for /TH/ (e.g., "fink" for "think"); Substituting /T/ for /TH/ (e.g., "tink" for "think"); Substituting /S/ for /TH/ (e.g., "sing" for "thing"); Turning on the voice, which produces the voiced /TH/ in "this" instead; Not bringing the tongue far enough forward, so the sound is muffled.
How do you practice medial TH words at home?
Break words into syllables and have your child practice the syllable containing the /TH/ sound first, then put the word back together. Medial position words can be trickier because the /TH/ sound is surrounded by other sounds. Slow the word down so your child can feel each part.

More TH Word Lists & Resources

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

Initial TH Words

20 words with tips

Final TH Words

20 words with tips

TH Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All TH Words

Complete 60-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice TH words with interactive activities

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