CH Words for Speech Therapy: Word Lists and Activities for Daily Practice
Amanda Unrau CCC-SLP
01/27/25 | Last modified: 04/21/25
Unlike some of the easier sounds that are learned at a young age, /ch/ is a later developing sound. This means that it is typically one of the later sounds that children learn to say. Children begin to produce this sound around age 3, and should have this sound mastered by age 7. This can be a difficult sound to learn, and some children may substitute /ch/ for another sound or not produce it clearly. This negatively impacts their intelligibility of speech or how well others can understand them. If you notice your child or student struggling with the /ch/ sound, this resource is for you.
We have created a comprehensive speech therapy resource for you to use as your child practices their /ch/ sound. Our lists of /ch/ words, phrases, sentences, short stories, and games are effective tools to incorporate into speech therapy and daily practice.
Word list: 120+ /CH/ Word List
The first step to mastering the /ch/ sound is to practice producing /ch/ in all positions of words: in the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of words. This table includes /ch/ word lists in all positions: /ch/ initial words, /ch/ medial words, and /ch/ final words. Have your child begin their practice of /ch/ words with this /ch/ word list.
| Initial /ch/ Words | Medial /ch/ Words | Final /ch/ Words |
| Charlie | teacher | match |
| chat | butcher | catch |
| chair | beachside | patch |
| chicken | creature | twitch |
| cherry | adventure | search |
| cheese | bachelor | witch |
| cheetah | lunchtime | rich |
| child | voucher | stretch |
| chase | coaching | scratch |
| church | feature | attach |
| chalk | picture | bench |
| charm | peachy | clutch |
| chocolate | matches | switch |
| cheer | bleachers | cockroach |
| chore | riches | touch |
| chip | matching | fetch |
| chime | scrunchies | stitch |
| chill | recharge | batch |
| chop | catcher | quench |
| chuckle | inches | clinch |
| chalkboard | beachfront | couch |
| chomp | hitching | pouch |
| choose | patchwork | crunch |
| cheerful | statue | glitch |
| cheap | starchy | march |
| chilly | stretchy | latch |
| cheeks | pitching | smash |
| chirp | searcher | dispatch |
| check | snatching | screech |
| churn | approaching | lunch |
| chug | reaching | sketch |
| choice | itchy | lurch |
| charge | broaching | branch |
| chick | fetching | scrunch |
| china | temperature | unclench |
| chose | kitchen | preach |
| chopstick | touchdown | scooch |
| chatter | lunchbox | etch |
| checkup | ketchup | ranch |
| crutches | snatch | |
| beach | ||
| enrich | ||
| watch |
CH Word Lists by Syllables
In addition to practicing /ch/ in all positions of words, children also need to practice /ch/ in words with differing numbers of syllables. Move from easiest to hardest. Start with single syllable words before moving on to words with increasing numbers of syllables.
The following tables include lists of /ch/ words with one to five syllables. There are lists for /ch/ words containing different numbers of syllables with /ch/ in the initial, medial, and final position of words.
Initial /ch/ by syllables (/ch/ at the beginning of words)
| One Syllable | Two Syllables | Three Syllables | Four Syllables |
| chair | chicken | cheerleading | charitable |
| chip | chipmunk | chariot | championship |
| choice | cherish | champion | Chatanooga |
| chalk | china | cheerleader | |
| chat | chisel | cherubim | |
| check | chiming | challenging | |
| charm | checkers | changemaker | |
| chuck | charter | cheerfully | |
| chunk | channel | chargeable | |
| chin | chapel | churchgoer | |
| chop | childhood | chocolatier | |
| cheap | childcare | checkerboard | |
| chant | children | chimpanzee | |
| char | churning | chihuahua | |
| chase | charger | changeable | |
| churn | chaser | ||
| chain | chubby | ||
| chime | charming | ||
| chill | checkup | ||
| chest | cello | ||
| chirp | cheesecake | ||
| chug | chili | ||
| childish |
Medial /ch/ by syllables (/ch/ in the middle of words)
| Two Syllables | Three Syllables | Four Syllables | Five Syllables |
| teacher | quenchable | approachable | overachiever |
| nature | achieving | preferential | interchangeable |
| marching | amateur | fluctuation | underachievement |
| pitcher | congestion | situation | circumferential |
| coaching | factual | habitual | unapproachable |
| fracture | punctuate | approachable | intellectual |
| kitchen | cultural | agriculture | infatuation |
| catching | furniture | literature | |
| preaching | immature | ||
| feature | signature | ||
| creature | teachable | ||
| structure | premature | ||
| watchful | |||
| picture | |||
| mention | |||
| ancient | |||
| lecture | |||
| extra |
Final /ch/ by syllables (/ch/ at the end of words)
| One Syllable | Two Syllables | Three Syllables |
| match | sandwich | avalanche |
| catch | dispatch | reattach |
| patch | enrich | butterscotch |
| fetch | detach | overreach |
| hitch | approach | |
| touch | attach | |
| latch | mismatch | |
| stitch | rematch | |
| twitch | outstretch | |
| sketch | unpatch | |
| bench | ostrich | |
| switch | cockroach | |
| notch | hopscotch | |
| batch | ||
| clutch | ||
| coach | ||
| ditch | ||
| pinch | ||
| reach | ||
| stretch | ||
| watch | ||
| scratch | ||
| witch | ||
| beach |
Further /CH/ Word Practice: Short Phrases and Sentences
Once your child is able to produce /ch/ in all positions of words and in multisyllabic words, they should move on to /ch/ in phrases and sentences. Introduce short phrases of 2-4 words, and then move onto sentences. Below are lists of /ch/ words in phrases and sentences. Feel free to read the phrases and sentences for your child to imitate if they are not a strong reader. Incorporate these phrases and sentences in any of the games and activities listed further below in this resource.
Short Phrases with CH Word
Introduce carrier phrases containing /ch/ words. Carrier phrases are short common phrases that take children to the next step from single words to sentences. Carrier phrases are a great way to make practice functional since many of these phrases are things children may say in their daily life.
Below are some examples of carrier phrases:
- “I have a ____.”
- “I want the ____.”
- “You have a ____.”
- “I see a ____.”
- “Give me the ____.”
This list contains additional /ch/ words in short phrases for continued practice.
| Initial /ch/ Phrases | Medial /ch/ Phrases | Final /ch/ Phrases |
| Chip off the block | Ancient traditions | Catch the ball |
| Change the world | Searching for answers | Watch the clock |
| Chalk on the board | Picture of the beach | Match the colors |
| Chat with friends | Feature the movie | Scratch the surface |
| Chase your dreams | Nature of the beast | Patch the hole |
| Chair by the table | Kitchen is messy | Touch the sky |
| Cheer for the team | Mention the fact | Clutch the handle |
| Check the map | Venture into the woods | Switch the lights |
| Choice of the day | Lecture in progress | Hitch the wagon |
| Chime of the bell | The marching band | Ditch the idea |
| Chunk of ice | Listen to the teacher | Clutch the book |
| Chicken nuggets | Fracture the glass | Reach the goal |
Short Sentences with CH Word
Introduce /ch/ words in short sentences after accurate production of /ch/ in phrases. This table contains lists of short sentences with /ch/ initial words, /ch/ medial words, and /ch/ final words.
| Initial /ch/ Sentences | Medial /ch/ Sentences | Final /ch/ Sentences |
| Chase the ball across the field. | She took a picture of the beautiful sunset. | The children played outside until dusk, then went inside to watch TV. |
| Change the lightbulb in the kitchen. | We need to patch the roof before it rains. | He dropped the glass and it made a loud crunch. |
| Chat with your friend about the project. | They discussed the features of the new phone. | I need to match my socks before leaving. |
| Chickens roam freely on the farm. | The movie had an incredible action sequence. | We heard the sound of the witch cackling. |
| Charming people will always win your heart. | The kids ran through the kitchen laughing. | The storm caused the tree to scratch the house. |
| Check your email for updates. | The museum had an ancient artifact on display. | We will reach the finish line in just a few minutes. |
| Don’t chomp on your food with your mouth full. | I was searching for my missing keys. | Can you clutch the bag for me while I get the keys? |
| I chose the cheeseburger at the restaurant | The stitching in the sweater came undone. | Don’t forget to patch up the hole in your shirt. |
| Chill with your friends this weekend. | The teacher will mention the new rules tomorrow. | There was a hitch in her step when she tripped over the stone. |
| Chilly weather is expected tomorrow. | The catcher caught the baseball. | The car made a screech sound when it came to a stop. |
| Chop the vegetables for the soup. | My dog likes fetching the ball. | We stayed at the beach on our vacation. |
| Chime the bell every hour. | I like to go camping in nature. | I love to sketch in my notebook on rainy days. |
| We enjoyed the chocolate cake at the party. | That lecture was very boring. | She will teach the children new things every day. |
CH Word Reading Practice
When your child does well with /ch/ words in short sentences, it’s time to increase the complexity! That means that you should introduce short reading passages containing the /ch/ sound. Preread the story with the child first. You can have your child highlight or circle the /ch/ words so they know to slow down and focus on accurate production of those words as they read.
We have included a few short stories containing the /ch/ sound in all word positions.
Charlie’s Great Food Adventure
One sunny morning, Charlie the chipmunk woke up with a rumbling tummy. He was ready for an adventure, but not just any adventure—he wanted to find all the yummy foods in the forest!
First, Charlie scampered to a cherry tree. The tree was filled with plump, red cherries, sparkling in the sunlight. “Yum!” Charlie said as he picked a cherry and took a big bite. It was sweet and juicy, and Charlie felt happy.
Next, Charlie heard a crunching sound. He looked up and saw a chicken pecking at some food. “What are you eating?” Charlie asked. The chicken clucked and said, “I’m enjoying some tasty cheese!” Charlie smiled and asked if he could have a bite. The chicken happily shared a small piece of cheese. It was soft and creamy.
Charlie continued his journey and came across a basket of chocolate. “Wow!” he thought. “This is a treat!” He grabbed a piece of chocolate and nibbled on it. It melted in his mouth, making him giggle with delight.
But Charlie wasn’t done yet! He came to a patch of chickpeas growing in the ground. He tried a little and found them crunchy and yummy. “These are so fun to nibble on!” he said.
By the end of the day, Charlie was full of delicious foods—cherries, cheese, chocolate, and chickpeas. He felt very satisfied, and as he curled up for a nap, he dreamed of more yummy food adventures in the forest.
The Treasure Hunt
One sunny afternoon, two best friends, Chad and Chelsea, were playing outside. They were sitting on a big, comfy chair in the garden, wondering what to do next.
“I have an idea!” said Chad, jumping up from the chair. “Let’s go on a treasure hunt! There might be a chest full of treasure hidden somewhere!”
Chelsea’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “A treasure chest? That sounds like so much fun! Let’s go!”
The two friends ran across the yard, looking for clues. They chased each other through the tall chocolate-colored leaves of the bush and past the big cherry tree. Finally, Chelsea spotted something shiny under a pile of leaves.
“Look, Chad! A treasure chest!” she shouted.
Chad rushed over and helped Chelsea pull the treasure chest out of the leaves. It was old and wooden, with rusty chains around it. They both sat down on the chair nearby, their hearts racing with excitement.
“Do you think there’s real treasure inside?” Chelsea asked, her voice full of wonder.
Chad nodded. “Let’s open it and find out!”
With a little chuckle, they carefully opened the chest. Inside, they found golden chocolates, sparkling charm bracelets, and tiny checkers made of shiny stones. It was the most beautiful treasure they had ever seen!
“Wow!” said Chelsea. “We found the greatest treasure ever! And we didn’t even need to leave our backyard!”
Chad grinned. “This was the best treasure chest adventure ever!”
And from that day on, every time they sat in their favorite chair, Chad and Chelsea remembered their magical treasure hunt and the shiny chest that held the most wonderful surprises.
Chester’s Chore Challenge
In a sunny savanna, there lived a young cheetah named Chester. Chester was fast—really fast! He could run faster than any animal in the savanna, but there was one thing he didn’t like: doing his chores.
One morning, Chester’s mom called, “Chester! It’s time to do your chores. We need to chop the cherries, chase the dust bunnies, and clean the chicken coop!”
Chester groaned. “I’d rather chase something fun, like a butterfly, or take a nap under the cherry tree!”
His mom smiled. “You can have fun after your chores, but it’s important to help out. Plus, doing chores can be a challenge that makes you even faster!”
Chester thought about it. “Well, I do like a good challenge,” he said. “Okay, I’ll do it!”
First, Chester raced over to the cherry tree. He chopped the ripe cherries with his paws and put them in a basket. “This is easy!” Chester said as he zoomed from branch to branch, collecting the juicy fruit.
Next, Chester had to chase the dust bunnies. With his lightning-fast legs, he zipped around the house, catching the fluffy dust bunnies in no time. “Done!” Chester cheered.
Finally, it was time to clean the chicken coop. Chester carefully swept the floor and made sure the chickens had fresh hay. “I’ve finished everything!” he said proudly.
His mom beamed. “Well done, Chester! You did all your chores quickly, and now you can relax.”
Chester stretched out under the cherry tree, feeling happy. “Chores might not be so bad after all,” he thought. “And I’m even faster at getting them done!”
From that day on, Chester didn’t mind doing his chores. In fact, he found that with a little speed and effort, they were always a fun challenge!
Games & Activities with CH Words
The ultimate goal when working on improving articulation or speech skills is to move to generalization of the /ch/ sound across all environments and situations. To accomplish this, incorporate real life activities. Games are a great way to move to this level since it allows children to practice producing the /ch/ sound that they have learned in more natural contexts. These activities are also more fun and motivating for children. We have gathered several ideas of interactive games and activities with /ch/ words that you can play with your child.
/ch/ Sensory Bin
Fill a sensory bin with items that start with the /ch/ sound (e.g., “chips,” “chalk,” “cheese“). Kids can dig through and name the objects they find. When they are done they can also hide the items for you or another child, saying the name of each item again as they bury it.
/ch/ Obstacle Course
Set up a race course with small tasks (e.g., hop on one foot, jump three times, spin in a circle). At each checkpoint, the child must say a /ch/ word or sentence before continuing. You can say a word out loud for them to imitate or have words printed out at each checkpoint.
/ch/ Hopscotch
For this game you can use a premade hopscotch grid or draw your own. Write /ch/ words in the hopscotch grid. Kids hop from word to word, saying the word out loud as they land on it. Increase the challenge each round by increasing the difficulty level. On the first round, the child says the /ch/ word (“cheese”). On the second round, the child says the /ch/ word in a phrase (“shred the cheese”). The third time through, the child says the /ch/ word in a sentence (“I will shred the cheese for the pizza”).
What is a /CH/ Sound and How to Pronounce It?
The /ch/ sound is a voiceless stop consonant. This means that airflow is stopped while producing the sound, and the voice remains off, so no air is vibrating the vocal cords.
/Ch/ can be a tricky sound to learn. Children who have difficulty producing the /ch/ sound may substitute a /sh/ or /t/ sound for /ch/ in words. For example, they may say “shoe” for “chew” or “top” for “chop.” This can make their speech difficult to understand. Use the following tips and the /ch/ word lists on this page to help your child improve their production of /ch/.
Pronouncing the /CH/ Word Sound
When producing /ch/, the tip of your tongue should touch the roof of your mouth right behind your top front teeth. The sound itself is made when you release your tongue from that location. When your tongue is in that position, it blocks the air. Removing the tongue releases the air forward. In addition, your teeth should be almost touching and your lips should pucker forward.
How to Help Your Child Produce the /CH/ Sound Correctly
To guide elicitation of the /ch/ sound, you can talk about the sound trains make (choo choo) or the sound we make when we sneeze (achoo!). If your child is able to produce /ch/ accurately in one of these words, you can then change the syllable by adding other vowels. For example, start with “choo choo,” then try “chee chee,” “chow chow,” “cha cha,” etc.
Another technique for eliciting /ch/ is to combine /t/ and /sh/. If your child is able to produce both of these sounds, you can have them say /t/ and /sh/ closer and closer together until it sounds like /ch/. You can also give them phrases that include a word that ends with /t/ and a word that starts with /sh/. If they say the words fast, it will sound like /ch/. For example, “bite ships” becomes “buy chips.”
Using Forbrain to Practice CH Words
Forbrain is a great tool to add to your child’s /ch/ words practice sessions. Forbrain is simple to use; it is an auditory stimulation headset that the child can wear as they practice. It allows them to hear their speech louder and more clearly, which helps with auditory discrimination. Your child will receive immediate feedback in their ear so that they can make adjustments to their speech as they practice.
Incorporating Forbrain into practice sessions and speech therapy can lead to improved articulation and speech skills. Forbrain can also improve overall communication skills, including vocabulary acquisition, language development, and literacy skills.
Final Words
Children who have difficulty with the tricky /ch/ sound should start practicing regularly as soon as possible. The sooner you start and the more consistent your child is with their practice, the easier it will be to correct any errors and the sooner you will notice improvement. We have laid out these lists of /ch/ words, phrases, sentences, short stories, and activities in this resource for your child to use.
Scheduled practice is not the only time for your child to work on /ch/ words. You can incorporate /ch/ words into daily life. Even just hearing accurate productions of /ch/ helps to improve your child’s auditory discrimination and speech skills. Read books that emphasize the /ch/ sound; emphasize the /ch/ sound during reading and have children point out pictures of /ch/ words or repeat the /ch/ words, phrases, or sentences. Incorporate /ch/ practice into arts and crafts. The more you incorporate /ch/ practice into daily life, the more your child will begin to understand its significance and relevance. This knowledge can boost motivation and confidence.
Amanda Unrau
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