The /CH/Sound: Speech Therapy Guide & Practice Games

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.

calendar_monthAge of mastery:4-6
trending_upFrequency:Common
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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

  • error_outlineSubstituting /SH/ for /CH/ (e.g., "shair" for "chair")
  • error_outlineSubstituting /T/ for /CH/ (e.g., "tair" for "chair")
  • error_outlineSubstituting /TS/ for /CH/ (e.g., "tsair" for "chair")
  • error_outlineProducing /CH/ without enough lip rounding
  • error_outlineMaking the sound too prolonged instead of a quick burst
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/CH/ Word Lists by Position

Practice these words organized by where the /CH/ sound appears. Start with the position your child finds easiest.

Initial Position

/CH/ at the beginning of words

chairchalkchancechangechasecheapcheckcheesecherrychestchickchickenchildchinchipchocolatechoosechopchurchchampion

Medial Position

/CH/ in the middle of words

beach ballcatchercatchinghatchingkitchenketchuplunchesmarchingmatchingnatureorchardpicturepitcherreachingrichessandwichteachertouchdownwatchingwitches

Final Position

/CH/ at the end of words

beachbenchbranchcatchcoachcouchditcheachhatchinchlunchmatchmuchpatchpeachpouchreachrichsuchtouch
sports_esportsPractice these words with our games
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Tips for Practicing the /CH/ Sound at Home

Evidence-based strategies parents can use to support /CH/ sound practice.

1

Teach /CH/ as a "sneeze" sound — say "ah-CHOO!" to help your child feel the burst of air.

2

Break it down: practice /T/ and /SH/ separately first, then combine them faster and faster until they merge into /CH/.

3

Use the "train" cue: have your child pretend to be a train going "ch-ch-ch-ch" to practice the quick burst.

4

Hold a tissue in front of the mouth — when /CH/ is produced correctly, the tissue should puff forward with each burst.

5

Compare /SH/ and /CH/: hold /SH/ for 3 seconds ("shhhh"), then show that /CH/ is the same sound but as a quick pop.

6

Practice /CH/ in fun words kids love: "chocolate," "cheese," "chicken," "cherry," "champion."

7

Use hand signals: a slow sweeping motion for /SH/ and a quick chopping motion for /CH/ to reinforce the difference.

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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.

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Games for the /CH/ Sound

Practice the /CH/ sound with interactive games designed by speech pathologists.

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Bubble Pop

/CH/ practice

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Memory Match

/CH/ practice

local_pizza

Pizza Builder

/CH/ practice

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Word Runner

/CH/ practice

rocket_launch

Space Blaster

/CH/ practice

phishing

Sound Fishing

/CH/ practice

pest_control

Whack-a-Word

/CH/ practice

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Story Adventure

/CH/ practice

Play games for the /CH/ sound
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Frequently Asked Questions About the /CH/ Sound

Common questions parents ask about the /CH/ sound in speech therapy.

When should my child be able to say the /CH/ sound?expand_more
Most children master /CH/ between ages 4 and 6. Since /CH/ combines /T/ and /SH/, your child typically needs to produce both of those sounds first before /CH/ can emerge.
My child says /SH/ instead of /CH/. How do I help?expand_more
This is a common substitution. The key difference is that /CH/ starts with a /T/ stop before releasing into /SH/. Practice by having your child say "t-shoe" quickly, gradually merging the two sounds into "chew." Use a tissue to check for the burst of air that /CH/ requires.
How is /CH/ different from /J/?expand_more
/CH/ and /J/ are produced in the same mouth position, but /CH/ is voiceless (no vocal cord vibration) and /J/ is voiced (vocal cords vibrate). Think of them as a pair, just like /S/ and /Z/ or /P/ and /B/.
Should I work on /T/ and /SH/ before /CH/?expand_more
Yes, since /CH/ is a combination of /T/ and /SH/, it helps if your child can produce both individual sounds first. If your child can already say /T/ and /SH/, learning /CH/ is often a quick step of combining them.
What are some fun ways to practice /CH/ at home?expand_more
Pretend to be a train (ch-ch-ch-ch), play "chef" in a pretend kitchen with foods like cheese, cherries, and chocolate. Sneezing games (ah-CHOO!) are great too. During meals, talk about chewing, choosing foods, and checking if they are too hot.

Related Sounds

/SH/

SH Sound

View guide

/J/

J Sound

View guide

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