How to Improve Your Child's Speech with the CH sound
Updated: Aug 25
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If you're like most parents, you want your child to succeed in everything they do. And if your child is having difficulty with the CH sound, you may be looking for ways to help them improve their speech. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help your child overcome this challenge and start speaking more clearly. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best ways to help your child improve their pronunciation of the CH sound. Keep reading to learn more!
Why does my child say TEES instead of CHEESE?
If your child is having trouble with the CH sound, it's likely because they're substituting another sound in its place. This is common among young children who are still learning to form all of the sounds of speech. The most common substitution for the CH sound is the "t" sound. So, if your child says "tees" instead of "cheese," they're probably using the wrong
sound. Let's talk about the CH sound!
How to produce the CH sound
The CH sound is a combination of the T and the SH sound. The CH sound is produced by placing the tip of the tongue behind the top front teeth and then exhaling. The corners of the lips are pulled together, making the lips pucker. This is a voiceless stop consonant with the sound coming from air that passes through the mouth and is stopped by the tip of the tongue against your teeth behind your teeth before being released from your mouth. This can be a little tricky for some children! This is why it's important to provide lots of practice opportunities for your child to say words with the CH sound.
The CH sound should be mastered at the age of 4 or 5. If your child is still having difficulty producing the sound correctly, don't worry - there are plenty of things you can do to help them out.
Teach your child to produce the CH sound
Steps to produce the CH sound
Step 1: Learn how to produce the sound in isolation first.
This means you'll need to help your child make the sound without any other sounds around it. You can do this by having them practice saying CH, TCH, or KH. You can also encourage them by imitating the sneezing sound "ACHOOO" or the coughing sound "HACK, HACK, HACK".
Step 2: Practice syllables that contain the CH sound.
Now that your child can produce the sound on its own, it's good to get them to practice saying syllables with the CH sound. This can be done by saying syllables like CHA, CHE, CHI, CHO, CHU.
Step 3: Practice words that contain the CH sound.
After your child is comfortable with syllables that contain the CH sound, it's time to move on to actual words. Some examples of words that have the initial CH sound are "chair, child, cheese, church, and choose". CH initial words are the easiest to start with.
After practicing CH initial words, practice words that have the CH sound in the middle. Some examples include "crutches, catches, and churches". After mastering the middle position, you can proceed to words that have the CH sound at the end. Words in this category include "ATCH, which, and rich".
Step 4: Practice sentences that contain the CH sound.
Once your child is able to say words with the CH sound correctly, it's time to practice putting them together in sentences. This will help your child be able to use the sound correctly in conversation. This will also help your child get used to producing the sound in the context of a sentence. For example, you can say "I went to church on Sunday" or "Can I change my shirt?"
Step 5: Practice in conversation
The final step is to have your child practice producing the CH sound in conversation. This will help them get even more comfortable with producing the sound and using it in their everyday speech.
Extra tips for helping your child with the CH sound
Here are some extra tips that can help your child if they're having difficulty producing the CH sound:
Give Praises
Make sure your child is relaxed and not trying to force the sound. This can make it harder for them to produce the sound correctly. It's important to encourage your child and praise them when they are successful in producing the sound. This will help them feel more confident and motivated to keep trying.
Use verbal Cues
To help your child produce the sound, have them repeat the /t/ and /sh/ sounds repeatedly. The faster you say “meet ship", it begins to sound like "me chip." Encourage your child to attempt it. It will help them become more comfortable with making the sound. Once they can make the sound on their own, combine it with vowels to make simple syllables and then move on to words and sentences.
Use Visual Cues
Use a mirror to help your child see what their mouth is doing when they make the sound. This can be helpful in showing them how to position their tongue correctly.
Use Tactile Cues
If your child is still having trouble producing the sound, you can try using tactile cues. This means you'll need to help them position their tongue correctly by placing your fingers on their tongue and showing them where to place it.
Use Verbal Cues in Conjunction with Tactile Cues
You can also use verbal cues in conjunction with tactile cues. This means you'll need to help them position their tongue correctly by placing your fingers on their tongue and showing them where to place it while saying the sound out loud.
Be Patient
Learning how to produce a new sound can be difficult for some children. It's important to be patient and encourage your child to keep trying. If they get frustrated, take a break and try again later. With practice and patience, your child will be able to produce the CH sound correctly in no time!
Materials You Can Use for Teaching the Sound
A mirror: This is helpful in showing your child how to position their tongue correctly.Your fingers: You can use your fingers to help position your child's tongue correctly.
Your child's favorite toy or stuffed animal: This can help your child to relax and have fun while they're learning the sound.
A picture of a child making the sound: This can help your child to see what their mouth should look like when they make the sound.
A picture of an object that starts with the sound: This can help your child to see what the sound looks like at the beginning of a word.
Sentence strips with words that have the sound: This can help your child to practice words with the sound in them.
A whiteboard and markers: This can be helpful for writing down words that your child can practice.
Flashcards with words that have the sound: This can help your child to practice words with the sound in them.
A recording of yourself saying words that have the sound: This can help your child to hear the sound in words.
When To Seek Professional Help
If your child is still having difficulty producing the CH sound after trying these tips, it's a good idea to seek professional help. A speech-language pathologist can assess your child's ability to produce the sound and provide you with more specific tips and strategies. They can also determine if there are any underlying issues that may be causing your child to have difficulty producing the sound. Seek professional help if:
Your child is 6 years old or older and still cannot produce the CH sound correctly.
You've tried all of the tips and strategies above and your child is still having difficulty.
You're concerned about your child's ability to produce the sound correctly.
Helping your child understand the CH sound
One of the best ways to help your child improve their pronunciation of the CH sound is to help them understand where it comes from. In other words, you need to help them learn about the anatomy of speech. When they know what's going on inside their mouth when they produce the CH sound, they'll be better able to replicate it correctly. You can do this by showing them pictures of the tongue and lips in action, or even having them watch a video that demonstrates how to make the CH sound.
Another great way to help your child learn about the CH sound is to have them practice saying different words that contain this sound. This will give them plenty of opportunities to hear and say the CH sound in different contexts. Additionally, you can have them practice writing words that contain the CH sound. This will help them to see how the sound is represented in print.
Finally, you can help your child learn about the CH sound by teaching them some simple songs that contain this sound. This will help to make the learning process fun and engaging for your child. If you want to learn more about how to teach the CH sound to your child, talk to us for a speech-language pathologist consult. At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child be able to say the CH sound correctly?
Most children master the CH sound between ages 3.5 and 6. If your child is older than 6 and still struggling with it consistently, it may be worth consulting a speech-language pathologist. Early support can prevent the habit from becoming harder to correct over time.
What are some simple exercises I can do at home to help my child practice the CH sound?
Start by having your child practice the T sound followed quickly by the SH sound, blending them together to form CH. Use fun words like 'cheese,' 'chicken,' and 'chair' in daily conversations and games. Short, playful practice sessions of 5 to 10 minutes a day are more effective than long, pressured drills.
How do I know if my child needs professional speech therapy for the CH sound?
If your child is over 6, their CH errors are affecting how others understand them, or they seem frustrated when communicating, it is a good time to seek a professional evaluation. A licensed speech-language pathologist can assess whether the difficulty is developmental or needs targeted therapy. Better Speech offers licensed, insurance-ready care with no waitlists, so you can get started quickly.
Why does my child replace the CH sound with T or SH instead?
This is very common and happens because CH is a blend of two sounds that requires precise tongue placement and timing. Children often substitute a simpler sound that feels close enough to them. With guided practice focusing on how the tongue tip lifts and releases air, most children can learn the correct placement fairly quickly.
Can online speech therapy really help with something as specific as the CH sound?
Yes, online speech therapy is highly effective for articulation goals like the CH sound. A skilled therapist can observe your child's mouth movements through video, provide real-time feedback, and send home practice activities tailored to your child's progress. Many families find virtual sessions easier to attend consistently, which directly supports faster improvement.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
