CH Words for Speech Therapy (Word Lists and Activities)

Trying to find ch words for speech therapy? Speech-language pathologists looking for a quick list of initial ch words, medial ch, and final ch target words to practice during speech therapy, make sure to bookmark this post. You’ll also find some great ideas for making ch therapy more effective with a variety of engaging games, articulation worksheets, and speech therapy activities. Not only does this blog post provide a list of the ‘ch’ sound in the initial position, medial position, and final position, but it also suggests a variety of strategies for articulation practice. SLPs will be able to have ch word lists on hand to easily use for articulation drill in the therapy room.

Correct Production of the CH Sound

The CH sound is a palatal affricate sound. It is voiceless, meaning the vocal folds do not vibrate during production. The tongue assumes a horseshoe-like shape while saying the ch sound. A seal is created and the air pressure builds. In other words, to produce the ch sound, the airstream is first stopped. This does not occur at the alveolar ridge as it would for /t/; instead, it happens a little farther back, closer to where production for the “sh” sound would occur. The tongue tip lowers slowly to let the passage of air pass, and the sides of the tongue slowly lower as well.

McLeod and Crowe published this article, which reported that nearly all speech sounds are developed by age 6.

References:

Marshalla, Pam. “Chapter 23- Stimulating the Fricated Consonants.” The Marshalla Guide: A Topical Anthology of Speech Movement Techniques for Motor Speech Disorders & Articulation Deficits, Marshalla Speech and Language, Ashland, OR, 2019, pp. 413–414. 

Peña-Brooks Adriana, and M. N. Hegde. “Chapter 8- Therapy for Phonetic Errors.”Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Assessment and Treatment Resource Manual, PRO-ED, Austin, TX, 2007, pp. 300–301. 

-Author’s clinical experience

Common CH Sound Errors

1. Stopping: stopping is a phonological process in which a stop sound (such as p, b, t, d, k, or g) replaces either a fricative or an affricate (ch, dj). An example might be saying “tear” for “chair”. Read more about the different phonological processes.
2. Deaffrication: deaffrication is a phonological process in which an affricate (such as the ch sound) is replaced by a fricative. An example might be “shop” for “chop”.
3. I have personally seen several students replace “ts” for “ch”. An example would be “bats” for “batch”.

How To Teach the CH Sound in Speech Therapy

There are several techniques that speech therapists can try to elicit the ch sound in speech therapy sessions.

1. Try using minimal pairs. For example, if the student substitutes “t” for “ch”, target words such as “tip” vs “chip” might be practiced.
2. Shape “ch” from the “sh” sound. Instruct the student to make puckered lips.
3. Here is my favorite trick! A great way to elicit the ch sound is to use your hand as a visual to “stop” (fist) and then “explode” (spread fingers out) the air.
4. Try shaping “ch” from “s”. Slide the tongue back, pucker the lips, then attempt the “ch” sound.
5. Provide verbal reminders. “You forgot to stop the air!”
6. Use phrases that contain a final ending t and an initial sh. An example might “what shop”. Hold the t just a bit too long, then explode the “sh”.

Reference:

-Author’s clinical experience

-Marshalla, Pam. “Chapter 23- Stimulating the Fricated Consonants.” The Marshalla Guide: A Topical Anthology of Speech Movement Techniques for Motor Speech Disorders & Articulation Deficits, Marshalla Speech and Language, Ashland, OR, 2019, pp. 413–414. 

Peña-Brooks Adriana, and M. N. Hegde. “Chapter 8- Therapy for Phonetic Errors.”Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Assessment and Treatment Resource Manual, PRO-ED, Austin, TX, 2007, pp. 300–301. 

CH Words for Speech Therapy

The following ch word lists contain ch in initial, medial, and final word positions. A speech language pathologist can use these ch words during therapy with a student who has an articulation disorder. The lists are provided at the word level. To increase the level of difficulty, your student could practice at the sentence level by creating sentences using the target words. Writing assignments might include creating silly sentences and reading the story aloud while focusing on the ch sound. It is also helpful to note the various spellings for the ch sound (check out the helpful resource “Speech Sounds and Their Letters“).

Initial CH Word List for Speech Therapy

Here is a list of the ch sound occurring as the initial sound in words (ch in the initial positions of words):

1. chair
2. choo choo
3. chalk
4. charge
5. charm
6. chew
7. cheap
8. child
9. chill
10. chin
11. chirp
12. chapter
13. Charlie
14. cheaper
15. cherry
16. children
17. chimney
18. chopping
19. chosen
20. chocolate

Medial CH Word Lists for Speech Therapy

Here is a list of ch occurring as the medial sound in words (ch in the medial positions of words):

1. beachball
2. coaches
3. creature
4. future
5. hatching
6. ketchup
7. kitchen
8. lunches
9. nachos
10. nature
11. patches
12. peaches
13. pitcher
14. posture
15. statue
16. teacher
17. vulture
18. touchdown
19. fire chief
20. watching

Final CH Word Lists for Speech Therapy

Here is a list of ch occurring at the end of the word (ch at the ends of words, final position):

1. itch
2. ouch
3. beach
4. bench
5. catch
6. coach
7. couch
8. each
9. fetch
10. grouch
11. lunch
12. much
13. patch
14. peach
15. pooch
16. ranch
17. rich
18. scratch
19. attach
20. mismatch

4 Top CH Words Speech Therapy Activities

Speech-language pathologists are often looking for fun ways to work on the ch sound in speech therapy! Here are the top articulation activities that include ch words.

Articulation Mouth Cards

All of your students with articulation disorders will benefit from these fantastic visuals! These unique articulation cards also provide a picture of the mouth for each target sound. The mouth shape provides the perfect visual reminder of tongue, teeth, and mouth positioning and placement. A variety of specific speech sounds are included in this articulation resource, including the ch sound. Try articulation mouth cards in your speech therapy session.

Manicure Articulation Activity

Wondering what articulation activity is about to become the “favorite” in your speech room? Here it is. This creative, hands-on resource will allow your student to target speech sounds while simultaneously creating a “manicure” using play dough!

Mind blown? YEP.

It’s super easy. Just pick the target speech sound to target during your speech therapy session, such as the ch sound. Your student will pick the color of play dough. After your student says a target word, smash a bit of play dough onto the “nail”. After all target words have been practiced, the manicure will be complete!

Oh, and as a heads-up. If your student loves this activity, you might also want to check out these Eyeshadow Articulation worksheets.

Articulation Card Game Companion

Do your students love playing card games? This card game companion is the perfect way to play a motivating color-coded card game while practicing individual sounds in speech therapy. Each color and special symbol pairs with a target articulation word. It’s simple to play the game. Before your student puts down a red card during his turn, he must say the ch articulation word that is listed under the red section. If he draws a yellow card, he must say the ch articulation word that is assigned to that target color. It’s fast, easy, and motivating!

Please note: The Pedi Speechie is in no way associated with the well-known card game, which is trademarked.

Articulation Challenge for Older Students

Are you looking for a way to work on articulation with your older students? This articulation challenge activity is designed with upper elementary and middle school speech therapy students in mind! Each worksheet includes a ready-to-go list of words for articulation practice, a speech sound mouth visual, and a “keyboard” picture so your student can “type” his words. (This resource is not digital, it is meant to be printed out). After your student “types” a target word, he must practice saying it. If you’re working with a small group, make it a challenge to see who can “type” the fastest! This resource includes ch initial, ch medial, and ch final articulation worksheets, as well as a variety of other speech sounds.

More Articulation Word Lists for Speech-Language Pathologists

Are you in a hurry and need this article summed up? To see the ch words, simply scroll up. Next, make sure to try out these 4 best-selling ch articulation resources:

1. Articulation Mouth Cards
2. Manicure Articulation
3. Articulation Card Game Companion
4. Articulation Challenge for Older Students (Upper Elementary, Middle School)

Don’t miss these other articulation word lists!

• S Word Lists
• L Word Lists
• F Word Lists
• K Word Lists
• TH Word Lists
• R Words for Speech Therapy
• Z Word Lists