What to with Problems Pronouncing 'Sh' and 'Ch'?

When children struggle with 'sh' and 'ch' sounds

Most children can pronounce 'sh' and 'ch' sounds clearly by around age five. If your child is older than this and still finds these sounds difficult, it may point to a mild speech difficulty. That said, children develop speech skills at their own pace, and these sounds are often among the last to fall into place.

Difficulty with 'sh' and 'ch' is common. These are both produced by shaping the tongue and lips in a specific way while controlling airflow. Some children need more time or practice to get the hang of this.

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When to consider getting help

A child who struggles with a few sounds is not necessarily in need of professional support. However, there are signs that speech therapy may be helpful:

• Other people regularly find your child hard to understand
• Your child becomes frustrated when trying to communicate
• The speech difficulty is causing problems at school or with friendships
• Other children comment on or mimic the way your child speaks

If any of these apply, it is worth seeking advice. Early support can prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How to get a referral in the UK

The usual route is to speak to your GP, who can refer your child to an NHS speech and language therapist. In many areas, you can also ask your child's school or health visitor to make a referral directly. Some local services accept self-referrals from parents. Your local NHS trust website will have details of what is available in your area.

Once referred, a speech and language therapist will assess your child's speech. This typically involves observing how your child communicates, checking which sounds are difficult, and ruling out any underlying causes. If a speech disorder is identified, the therapist will put together a treatment plan suited to your child's needs.

Practising at home

While waiting for an assessment, or alongside therapy, you can support your child at home. Keep practice sessions short and relaxed. Pressure or correction during everyday conversation can make children self-conscious.

Simple activities that encourage your child to listen to and produce 'sh' and 'ch' sounds can help. For example, playing games with words that start with these sounds, or reading picture books together and emphasising certain words. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists offers resources for parents on supporting speech development.

If your child is receiving therapy, the therapist will usually suggest exercises to do between sessions. Consistent, gentle practice at home can make a real difference to progress.

Most children with difficulties pronouncing 'sh' and 'ch' improve with time and the right support. If you are unsure whether your child needs help, speaking to a professional is a sensible first step.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Speech Exercise Finder lets you get personalised speech exercises to practise at home based on your specific difficulty and age group. Takes about 2 minutes. Try it now →