How to Help Your Child Say the “CH” Sound Clearly
Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
The “CH” sound can be tricky for children to learn, but with the right support, most kids can master it. Speech-language pathologists recommend breaking practice into small steps. We start with listening and imitation, then move to syllables, words, phrases, and conversation. Learn when children should be able to say the “CH” sound, how to practice it at home, and when speech therapy may be helpful.
“Can you say cheese?” “Did you mean tair or chair?” If you’ve ever paused to figure out what your child was trying to say, you’re not alone. Many parents wonder how to help a child say the “CH” sound, especially when words like chair, cheese, or chicken don’t sound quite right.
The “CH” sound is one of the tougher speech sounds for children to learn. That’s because it requires precise coordination between the tongue, lips, and airflow. Speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, see this sound often in articulation therapy—and the good news is that with the right strategies, children can make great progress.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the “CH” sound: when children typically learn it, what correct production looks like, how to practice the “CH” sound at home, and when it may be time to contact a speech therapist. Whether your child is just starting to practice or feeling frustrated, you’ll find clear, practical guidance to help them speak with confidence.
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Start the screenerHow to help a child say the “CH” sound
First, let’s look at how to make the “CH” sound correctly. For this sound, the tongue, lips, and airflow all have to work together. When helping a child say the “CH” sound, break it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Start with tongue position.
The tip of the tongue should point slightly upward and rest near the alveolar ridge, which is the bumpy spot just behind the top front teeth.
The sides of the back of the tongue should touch the inside of the top back molars. This helps keep the air in the right place.
Next, have your child round their lips, similar to how they would for the “SH” sound.
Expressable speech-language pathologist Jori King, M.S., CCC-SLP, recommends, “Look at your child's lip position. ‘CH’ is made with the lips extended slightly forward, as is ‘SH.’ You can model this position for them to copy, which can improve the sound once their tongue movement is correct.”
Then comes the most important part: airflow. The “CH” sound needs a quick, strong burst of air.
You can use visual cues like pretending to “punch” or “chop” the air with your hand to show how fast and powerful the air should be.
Another helpful trick when teaching the “CH” sound is to combine sounds. Have your child say a quick “T” sound followed by “SH” (“t-sh”). When said quickly, this often turns into a clear “CH” sound and helps children feel how the sound is made.
If your child has trouble with “CH,” they may also have difficulty with the “SH” sound. These sounds are very similar, so challenges with one often affect the other.
At what age should kids be able to say "CH"?
Children should begin correctly pronouncing the “CH” sound sometime between ages 4 and 5 years old. “With this sound in particular, there's a pretty large variance in age range,” King says.
With that said, it's important to know that the longer you wait to begin speech therapy for a speech sound, the harder it can be to correct errors and improve your child's speech. This is because motor patterns (the mouth movements we use to produce sounds) become more ingrained as a child gets older. In other words, the longer a child is used to mispronouncing a sound, the harder the habit is to break.
Is your child ready to practice the "CH" sound?
Wondering if your child should start learning the “CH” sound? A good place to begin is by looking at a few readiness skills, rather than focusing on age alone.
First, consider your child’s listening skills. Can they listen to a sound and notice when it’s different? For example, do they hear the difference between “sh” and “ch”? “Being able to listen closely helps children learn new speech sounds more easily,” says King.
Next, think about imitation. If you say a clear “CH” sound, can your child try to copy it, even if it’s not perfect yet? Being able to imitate a correct production is a strong sign that your child is ready to start working on the sound.
Another important factor is oral-motor readiness, which means your child is aware of how their mouth moves. This doesn’t involve exercises or strengthening. Instead, it’s about noticing tongue and lip positions, like rounding the lips or lifting the tongue slightly to make the “CH” sound.
If your child can listen, imitate, and show basic awareness of mouth positioning, they are likely ready to begin practicing the “CH” sound.
If a child isn't easily understood, this could deflate their confidence and make them less likely to communicate.
If your child is not saying the “CH” sound correctly by the time they approach kindergarten, but they are showing readiness, go ahead and work on it. We want children to be speaking as clearly as possible when they start school. At that point, they’re surrounded by new teachers and children, and they may begin comparing their speech to others.
Keep in mind that if a child isn't easily understood, this could deflate their confidence and make them less likely to communicate. Repeatedly being asked, “What did you say?” or “Can you say that again?” can be frustrating. Supporting speech clarity early can help protect your child’s confidence and encourage them to keep sharing their thoughts and ideas.
How to practice the "CH" sound at home
A speech therapist can evaluate how your child speaks and design a treatment plan that’s customized to them. But if you’re going to try practicing the “CH” sound at home, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s important to start at the right difficulty level. Jumping too far ahead can make practice frustrating; you need to start where your child is ready. The goal is steady, small progress over time, not perfection right away.
Be sure to make practice fun and low-pressure. Use “CH” words in games, books, or daily activities to give your child lots of chances to practice without it feeling like work. Short, playful practice helps build confidence and improves speech over time.
Below are simple ways to practice the “CH” sound using a step-by-step approach.
Step 1: Review the “CH” sound setup
Start by reviewing how the “CH” sound is made. Talk about the teeth, tongue, lips, and airflow. Ask your child where each part goes, or have them show you. Practicing in front of a mirror can be especially helpful so your child can see their mouth movements.
Step 2: Listen for the correct “CH” sound
Before your child can say the “CH” sound, they need to hear it correctly. Play a listening game where you say the sound both correctly and incorrectly, and ask your child to tell you which one sounds right. Once they can identify the correct sound most of the time, they’re ready to start saying it themselves.
Step 3: Practice the “CH” sound in isolation
Begin by practicing the “CH” sound by itself. Give your child a clear model and let them copy you. Use simple cues like saying “quick air” or “chopping sound” to help. Keep practice short and encouraging.
Step 4: Move to syllables
Once your child can say “CH” on its own, start combining it with vowels. These can be made-up syllables such as “chee,” “chay,” “chie,” “cho,” and “chue.” This step helps prepare your child for using the sound in real words.
Step 5: Practice “CH” in words
Next, practice “CH” in words. Start with simple, single-syllable words like: chat, cheer, chin, chop, beach, touch, ranch, coach
Then move on to longer words, such as: chapter, checkers, children, chosen, champion, charity, chocolate
Step 6: Use “CH” in phrases and conversation
After your child is saying “CH” words accurately, begin using them in short phrases like “cheese please” or “big chair.” Gradually increase the length until your child can use “CH” words in full sentences and everyday conversations. Remember that it can take steady practice and persistence to reach this level.
Progress doesn’t happen overnight. Spend enough time at each step before moving on. King says a good rule of thumb is waiting until your child is about 90% accurate at one level before increasing the difficulty. With patience, practice, and encouragement, your child will continue moving closer to clear and confident speech.
“CH” sound examples
Listening to and saying “CH” sound examples helps children learn how the sound changes depending on where it appears in a word:
The initial position means the “CH” sound comes at the beginning of a word, like “cheese.” This position is often the easiest for children to practice first, says King.
The medial position means the “CH” sound is in the middle of a word, like “teacher.” These words can feel a little trickier because the sound is surrounded by other sounds.
The final position means the “CH” sound comes at the end of a word, like “couch.” This position often takes more practice and may develop later.
Check out the “CH” sound word lists in the next section for simple ways to practice each position at home.
“CH” sound word lists for practice
Practicing with “CH” sound words helps children build confidence and improve accuracy. Try starting with a few words at a time, and keep practice short and fun.
Initial “CH” words
cheeseburger
chair
chip
chicken
chase
chalk
Medial “CH” words
teacher
kitchen
picture
nature
peachy
beach ball
Final “CH” words
couch
beach
peach
match
lunch
bench
You can practice these words during games, while reading books, or in everyday conversations. Repeating words naturally throughout the day helps your child learn the “CH” sound without pressure.
What if your child is frustrated during speech practice?
Children are aware when they struggle to pronounce sounds. It's likely your child may get annoyed or disheartened at some point while practicing. Make sure you give lots of praise and encouragement during practice.
Speech therapists don’t recommend saying “Great job!” if your child pronounces a sound wrong. This can confuse your child and decrease their ability to self-correct their speech. But there are many ways to encourage your child while also giving the right feedback. Here are some examples you can use when you practice together:
“I love how you’re trying! That’s not quite it. Let’s try again!”
“You're working so hard! Next time remember to round your lips.”
“You are so close! That’s not quite it, but I know you'll get it soon.”
When your child does pronounce the "CH" sound clearly, make sure you recognize and point out their tremendous progress. Give them lots of praise, and get really excited about it—they love seeing your reaction! As long as you keep practice positive and engaging, your child will be more motivated to participate. This is how you put them on the path to pronouncing the perfect "CH" sound.
When should you contact a speech therapist?
If your child is having a hard time learning the “CH” sound, or is struggling to move from saying it in syllables to using it in words or conversation, it may be time to contact a speech therapist for an evaluation. Speech therapists are experts in articulation, which means they specialize in helping children learn speech sounds clearly and correctly.
Starting therapy sooner can make a big difference. Early support helps prevent frustration and allows your child to build confidence as their speech skills improve.
During an evaluation, the speech therapist will carefully listen to your child’s speech and identify patterns of errors. From there, they create an individualized plan of care that fits your child’s needs. Progress is tracked over time by measuring how accurately your child produces the “CH” sound and how much support they need to say it correctly.
How does articulation therapy work online?
Therapy for speech sound problems, also called articulation therapy, can be highly effective through teletherapy.
Speech therapists use digital tools and interactive games to make sound practice fun and meaningful. Through screen sharing, children can see clear visual models of how to make the “CH” sound and practice along in real time.
Sessions often include engaging sound activities, such as sorting games, turn-taking tasks, and short challenges that encourage repeated practice without feeling overwhelming. Therapists also provide parent coaching, showing caregivers how to support practice at home using simple cues and everyday routines.
When kids attend speech therapy from home, sessions are occurring in a familiar, comfortable environment, helping them feel more relaxed while learning new speech sounds. You can learn more about how Expressable supports kids with speech sound disorders in our treatment guide.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What age should a child be able to say the “CH” sound?
Most children can pronounce the “CH” sound correctly between ages 4 and 5, though some may master it a bit earlier or later. A wider age range is normal for this sound. If your child is older than 5 and still struggles with “CH,” or if their speech is hard to understand, check in with a speech therapist. You can start by taking our free online speech screener to see if an evaluation is recommended.
How can I help my child say the “CH” sound at home?
Start by focusing on listening. Make sure your child can hear the difference between similar sounds like “sh” and “ch.” Then practice copying the sound with correct tongue position, lip rounding, and a quick burst of air. Keep practice short, playful, and part of everyday routines like reading books or playing games.
What are some good “CH” sound examples for practice?
Helpful “CH” sound examples include words where the sound appears at the beginning (cheese, chair), middle (teacher, kitchen), and end (beach, couch) of words. Starting with initial “CH” words is often easiest, then slowly working toward medial and final positions. Using a variety of “CH” sound words helps children learn how the sound changes in different word positions.
How do you fix a “CH” speech impediment?
A “CH” speech impediment is addressed through articulation therapy, which focuses on teaching correct sound placement and gradually increasing accuracy from syllables to conversation. Therapy doesn’t “fix” a child; it supports them in speaking clearly and confidently. A speech therapist creates an individualized plan and tracks progress over time. If you’re wondering whether therapy could help your child, you can sign up for a speech evaluation or begin with our free screener.
When should I contact a speech therapist for help with the “CH” sound?
Contact a speech therapist if your child becomes frustrated, struggles to move from syllables to words or conversation, or is still mispronouncing “CH” close to kindergarten age. Early support can make learning easier and help protect your child’s confidence.
Key takeaways
The “CH” sound can be tricky because it requires precise coordination of the tongue, lips, and airflow.
Kids are typically able to say the “CH” sound between ages 4 and 5, though some variation in ages is normal. Ongoing difficulty beyond age 5 may signal a need for speech therapy.
Practicing the “CH” sound works best when it follows a step-by-step approach, moving from listening and imitation to syllables, words, phrases, and conversation.
Short, playful home practice using “CH” sound words in everyday routines helps build confidence and steady progress.
Speech therapy provides individualized strategies, fun activities, and parent coaching to help children speak more clearly and confidently.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
