Fun Speech Activities for your Child’s TH sound
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
What is the age at which children master the TH sound?
Articulation refers to the way you position your lips and tongue to make various sounds. Sounds flow to make words and sentences. At an early age, children start to produce cooing and babbling sounds. By the time they are six months old, most children can produce all of the speech sounds in their native language(s). The TH sound is a later developing sound. Some children will have no trouble producing the sound correctly by age 3 or 4. Others may still be working on it at age 5 or 6. When children still have a hard time producing the TH sound at 8 years old, it may be worth seeking out professional help.
An articulation disorder is defined as a speech disorder involving difficulties in articulating specific types of sounds. Articulation disorders often involve the substitution of one sound for another, slurring of speech, or unclear speech. While most children make mistakes as they learn new words, it is classified as a “disorder” when the mistakes continue past a certain age. The most common mispronounced sounds are /s/, /r/, /l/, /ch/, /sh/, and /th/.
Why is it difficult to produce the TH sound?
There are a few reasons why it can be difficult to produce. First of all, the position of your tongue is very important when making this sound. For the voiced and unvoiced TH sound, your tongue should be between your teeth and you should use light contact to make the sound. The only difference is that your vocal cords should vibrate for the voiced TH sound. This can be tricky for children to coordinate!
Second, the TH sound is made by exhaling a small amount of air through your mouth. This can also be tricky for children, who may have a tendency to either blow too hard or not hard enough.
However, you do not need to worry! With a little bit of practice, your child will be producing the TH sound like a pro in no time.
Help your child produce the TH sound correctly
There are two sounds of TH: Voiced and Unvoiced
The /th/ sound can be either voiced or unvoiced. This means that your vocal cords can either vibrate or not vibrate when you make the sound. The word “this” uses the voiced TH sound, while the word “thanks” uses the unvoiced TH sound.
If your child is having trouble producing the TH sound, it is important to first determine whether they are having difficulty with the voiced or unvoiced sound. You can do this by placing your hand on their throat as they make the sound. If you feel a vibration, then they are using the correct muscles and are producing the voiced TH sound. If you do not feel a vibration, then they are probably producing the unvoiced TH sound.
Examples of words with voiced TH sounds:
the, them, they, then, there, these, this, clothes
Examples of words with unvoiced TH sounds:
think, thank, thin, with, both, math
It is important for children to learn the difference between the voiced and unvoiced TH sounds, as they are both used frequently in speech. Voiced TH sounds are usually found at the beginning of words, while unvoiced TH sounds are usually found in the middle or at the end of words.
How to teach your child to produce the TH sound
There are a few different ways that you can help your child practice the TH sound. One way is to have them hold a straw in their mouth and blow through it to make the sound. This will help them get a feel for the correct position of their tongue and the amount of air needed to produce the sound.
Another way is to have them place their finger on their throat as they make it. This will help them feel whether or not they are using the correct muscles.
You can also practice words with TH sounds in them. Start with simple words with TH sound such as “three” or “bath” and then move on to more difficult words such as “theory” or “earth”. As your child gets better at producing the sound, you can increase the difficulty of the words.
Here are some fun activities to help your child practice the TH sound
Practicing new sounds can be pretty boring for kids. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few fun games and activities that you can do to help your child practice them!
1. Blowing bubbles
Have your child blow bubbles through a straw. This will help them get a feel for the correct position of their tongue and the amount of air needed to produce the sound. However, it is important to emphasize the sound you are working on while doing this activity. Introduce words with TH sounds such as “bath”, “thirsty”, or “clothes” and have them repeat the word as they blow the bubbles.
2. Pop the balloon
Have your child hold a balloon in their mouth and pop it by exhaling a small amount of air through their teeth with their tongue in between their teeth. This will help them get a feel for the correct position of their tongue and the amount of air needed to produce the sound.
If they get the hang out of it, introduce words with the TH sound such as “teeth”, “thorn”, or “thick” and have them repeat the word as they pop the balloon.
3. Tongue twisters
Tongue twisters are a great way to help your child practice it. Some examples of tongue twisters with TH sounds are “The thirsty crocodile drank some water” and “Thin threads take three threads to make a thicker thread”.
4. Reading
Reading is a great way to help your child practice the TH sound. Children who know how to read can benefit from reading books to practice their sounds. Look for books with words that have the TH sound such as “The Cat in the Hat” or “Thomas the Tank Engine”. This is a good activity for your child to be aware of how the sound is used in different words and contexts.
5. Writing
Have your child write sentences with words that have the TH sound such as “The cat is drinking milk” or “I think that it is time for a bath”. It is a way for them to think of words that have the sound and how to use them in a sentence. This is also a good way for you to see if your child is able to use the sound correctly in words.
With a little bit of practice, your child will be producing the TH sound like a pro in no time! 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 TH sound correctly?
Most children master the TH sound between ages 4 and 8, so there is a wide window of normal development. If your child is 8 or older and still substituting sounds like F or D for TH, it may be worth consulting a speech-language pathologist. Early support can make a big difference in building clear, confident speech.
Why does my child say F or D instead of TH?
This is very common and happens because the TH sound requires the tongue to touch or peek between the teeth, which feels unfamiliar at first. Many children substitute the closest sound they already know, like F for the unvoiced TH in 'think' or D for the voiced TH in 'this.' With consistent practice and modeling, most children can learn the correct placement fairly quickly.
What are some easy ways to practice the TH sound at home?
Start by having your child watch their tongue in a mirror while they place it gently between their teeth and blow air out. Then practice with simple words like 'thank,' 'three,' and 'think' before moving to sentences. Silly tongue twisters, reading picture books with TH words aloud, and short daily practice sessions of 5 to 10 minutes all help build the habit without feeling like work.
When should I consider seeing a speech-language pathologist for the TH sound?
If your child is 8 years old or older and the TH sound is still unclear, or if the error is affecting their confidence or communication, professional support is a smart next step. Better Speech offers licensed speech-language pathologists with no waitlists, and sessions are covered by many insurance plans, making it easy to get started quickly from home.
Is the TH sound one sound or two different sounds?
There are actually two TH sounds in English: the unvoiced TH heard in words like 'thumb' and 'three,' and the voiced TH heard in words like 'this' and 'that.' The difference is whether the vocal cords vibrate during the sound. Both require the same tongue placement, so once your child learns the basic movement, picking up both versions usually comes naturally with practice.
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.
