Initial SH words
The /sh/ sound appears near the start of the word.
- shade
- shaft
- shake
- shame
- shape
- share
- shark
- sharp
- shaved
- shaw
80 verified words
Free articulation word lists
SH Words for Speech Therapy
Find SH words by word position. Each list is checked against the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, so words that carry the SH sound without an sh spelling — such as sugar and ocean — are matched correctly.
SH words by position
Choose a word position to see the full verified list.
/sh/
Medial SH words
The /sh/ sound appears inside the word.
- bishop
- cashiers
- dishes
- fashion
- fishing
- flashers
- flashing
- pushing
- threshold
- washer
437 verified words
Final SH words
The /sh/ sound appears near the end of the word.
- ash
- brush
- bush
- cash
- crash
- dash
- dish
- fish
- flash
- flesh
32 verified words
When is /sh/ typically acquired?
- SH as in ship — 90% of US children produce it by 4;11.
Crowe & McLeod (2020), American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Check any sound by age →How to use these SH word lists
Children working on SH often substitute /s/ — saying sip for ship. Because the two sounds sit close together, minimal pairs contrasting them are a common way to work on the difference.
The lists check where the SH sound appears in each pronunciation, not just the spelling. They do not choose a treatment target or replace clinical judgment.
Validation source
Word pronunciations are checked with the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.
Free · 5 packs to start · no card
Create a custom SH practice pack
Choose the word position, age band and theme. Ga-loo builds a checked SH list and a print-ready pack: picture cards, a dab game, a data sheet and a home letter.
Form pre-filled with/sh/
No card requiredNo student namesFailed generations refunded
One pack includesPractice pack
- Picture cards: word, phrase, sentence8–16 verified words, each with its own picture plus a phrase and a sentence for the next level.
- Say & dab gameBig pictures with 10 dots each: 60 practice turns with no prep.
- Data sheet + probeMark 10 tries per word, then check untrained words for carryover.
- Home practice letter (B&W)Simple steps for parents and a 7-day tracker that prints on any printer.
One print-ready PDF on US Letter. Any page you don’t need can be switched off before generating.
Therapy guides
Minimal pairs therapy
Minimal pairs examples by pattern, how a session runs, and a worked fronting example.
Read the guidePrint-and-go articulation activities
No-prep drill ideas that turn a word list into a full session.
Read the guideNo-prep teletherapy articulation
Screen-share friendly activities that use the same word lists online.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
- What are some initial SH words?
- Common initial SH words include shoe, ship, sheep, shark, shell, and shirt. The full initial SH list has 80 verified words.
- What are some medial SH words?
- Medial SH words are matched on pronunciation rather than spelling, so the sound is really in that part of the spoken word. The full medial SH list has 437 verified words.
- What are some final SH words?
- Final SH words are matched on pronunciation rather than spelling, so the sound is really in that part of the spoken word. The full final SH list has 32 verified words.
- When do children master the SH sound?
- By Crowe & McLeod (2020), 90% of US children produce /sh/ by 4;11.
- What is the difference between the S and SH sounds?
- /s/ is made with the tongue tip forward and a narrow airstream; SH is made further back with the lips slightly rounded. Substituting one for the other is a common error, which is why they are often practised as contrasting pairs.
- Can I make a printable SH sound worksheet?
- Yes. Select /sh/, choose a word position and theme, and Ga-loo will create a checked, printable PDF.