Initial Short U Words for Speech Therapy

Initial Short U Words are words that start with the short U sound, such as of, up, and us. This list has 14 initial-position Short U words for speech therapy practice, and most children master the short U sound by age 3.

Short U words at the beginning: of, up, us, other, understand, under, um, uncle, others, otherwise — plus 4 more below. Initial position means the word opens on the vowel itself, with no consonant in front of it to shape the mouth first — the clearest place to hear whether the vowel is on target.

Words:14
Position:Initial

Initial Short U Words — Full List (14 Words)

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

ofupusotherunderstandunderumuncleothersotherwiseunderstoodunbelievableunderstandingunderwear
Practice these words with games

How to Practice Initial Short U Words at Home

Strategies for practicing the short U sound at the beginning of words.

1

These words open on the vowel itself, with no consonant in front of it. Say the short U sound on its own first, then carry straight on into the rest of "of" without stopping in between.

2

Use a mirror. A vowel is made by how open the jaw is and how the lips and tongue sit, not by a contact your child can feel, so watching the mouth is the clearest feedback available.

3

Practice minimal pairs — two words that differ only in this vowel. Hearing the pair back to back shows a child exactly what has to change, which a single word never does.

4

Go by sound, not spelling. English writes the short U sound several different ways, so read the words aloud together rather than teaching them as a spelling pattern.

5

Play "I Spy" with the sound rather than the letter: anything whose name begins with the short U sound counts.

Initial Short U Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of Short U words in the initial position?
This page lists 14 Short U words that start with the short U sound, including of, up, us, other, understand, under, um, uncle, others, otherwise.
What age should a child master the Short U sound?
Most children master the short U sound by age 3. Vowels come in earlier than most consonants: children generally have their full vowel system before the late-developing consonants such as /R/, /S/ and /TH/. Vowel errors are far less common than consonant errors, so one that is still there in a school-age child is worth raising with a speech-language pathologist.
How do you make the Short U sound?
This vowel needs no special tongue or lip shape, so it is usually easy — cue it as the most relaxed sound in the mouth. Watch for it being replaced by short A (cat vowel) in words like "cup".
What are common Short U sound errors?
The most common short U errors are: Substituting the broad A sound (Broad A as in father) for the short U sound.; Substituting the short A sound (Short A as in cat) for the short U sound..
How do you practice initial Short U words at home?
These words open on the vowel itself, with no consonant in front of it. Say the short U sound on its own first, then carry straight on into the rest of "of" without stopping in between. Use a mirror. A vowel is made by how open the jaw is and how the lips and tongue sit, not by a contact your child can feel, so watching the mouth is the clearest feedback available.

More Short U Word Lists & Resources

Practice the short U sound in the other word positions, or use the full sound guide and word list.

Medial Short U Words

14 words with tips

Short U Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, FAQ

All Short U Words

Complete 28-word list, all positions

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each sound should appear

Speech Therapy Games

Practice Short U words with interactive activities

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