Sound Safari
Speech Sound Guide
The CH Sound: Norms, Challenges & Word Lists
The /ch/ sound is one of the later sounds children master — typically by age 6. This guide covers when /ch/ develops, what typically goes wrong, simple ways to practice it, and over 90 /ch/ words organized by position.
When should a child say /ch/?
Developmental norms — when the /ch/ sound typically emerges and is mastered.
Source: McLeod & Crowe (2018), AJSLP.
A child still substituting or distorting /ch/ after age 6 is a good candidate for a speech-language evaluation — earlier if they're hard to understand or frustrated.
Find out where /ch/ stands — in 5 minutes
Sound Safari's 23-sound screener checks against the McLeod & Crowe norms above.
Common challenges with /ch/
What typically goes wrong — and whether it's age-appropriate.
Stopping
/ch/ → /t/
Typically resolves on its own by around age 4; worth a check-in if it persists.
What helps →
Build /ch/ from /t/ slowly: "t … sh … ch" — show that /ch/ has the /t/ plus a release into "sh".
Deaffrication
/ch/ → /sh/
Typically resolves on its own by around age 4; worth a check-in if it persists.
What helps →
Add the stop back: have the child briefly hold the tongue, then release into the /sh/. Feel the puff of air on a finger.
How to practice the /ch/ sound
Practical starting points for parents and SLPs. Always follow your SLP's plan if your child is in therapy.
- 1 Build /ch/ from /t/ + /sh/. /ch/ is two sounds blended together: a /t/ stop followed by a /sh/ release. Have your child say "t" then "sh" slowly, then closer and closer until they merge.
- 2 Round the lips. /ch/ uses rounded, slightly forward lips — like saying "oo" then dropping the voice. Watch in a mirror so the child sees and copies the shape.
- 3 Feel the puff of air. /ch/ releases a small puff of air. Have your child hold their hand in front of their mouth — they should feel a quick puff with each "ch".
- 4 Contrast pairs — /ch/ vs. /sh/. Saying "sh" instead of "ch" is the most common slip. Use pairs like chip/ship, cheap/sheep, watch/wash to train the ear and the mouth.
- 5 Start at the start of words. /ch/ is easiest at the beginning of a word. Master initial /ch/ ("chip", "chair") before moving to medial and final positions.
/ch/ word lists by position over 90 words
Every word from the Sound Safari practice library. The /ch/ in each word is bolded.
Initial — /ch/ at the start of the word (30)
Medial — /ch/ in the middle of the word (30)
Final — /ch/ at the end of the word (30)
IEP goals for /ch/
A starting point for SLPs writing articulation goals — across the six therapy levels.
Goal progression — tap a level to see the goal
Sample goal — word level
"Given a verbal model, [student] will produce /ch/ in the initial position of words with 80% accuracy across 3 consecutive sessions."
Track /ch/ progress automatically
Sound Safari logs every trial against your goals and writes the SOAP note for you.
/ch/ sound — frequently asked questions
At what age should my child say the /ch/ sound? +
Most children produce /ch/ correctly by age 6. About half can do it by age 5. Substituting "sh" or "t" for /ch/ is common in younger kids.
Is it normal for my child to say "sh" for "ch"? +
Yes — deaffrication (saying "sh" instead of "ch") is developmentally typical up to about age 4. If it persists past age 6, it's worth a check-in.
Why is the /ch/ sound so hard? +
/ch/ is an affricate — a stop and a fricative blended into one quick sound. The timing has to be exact, so it takes more motor control than simple stops or fricatives.
How can I help my child practice /ch/ at home? +
Build it from "t + sh" said slowly, watch lip rounding in a mirror, and use contrast pairs like chip/ship to train the ear. See "How to practice" above.
When should we see a speech therapist about /ch/? +
If /ch/ is still being replaced with /sh/, /t/, or /j/ after age 6, or sooner if your child is hard to understand.
Can older children and adults still correct /ch/? +
Yes. /ch/ responds well to direct instruction at any age — the stop+release sequence is something most older kids and adults grasp quickly once it's broken down.
Related sounds
Sounds that pair, contrast, or are commonly confused with /ch/.
