TH Sound Word Level Worksheet

Practicing the TH Sound at Word Level

The TH sound actually includes two distinct phonemes: the voiceless /th/ (as in “think”) and the voiced /th/ (as in “this”). Many children substitute /f/ or /d/ for these sounds, which is a common developmental pattern. SLPs commonly use word-level practice to build accurate tongue placement before progressing to phrases and sentences.

This worksheet provides 47 open-ended prompts featuring words with the TH sound in the initial position. Each prompt presents a target word for the student to practice saying aloud, focusing on correct tongue placement between the upper and lower front teeth.

How to Use This Worksheet

Print the worksheet and work through the prompts during therapy sessions or as homework. For each word, remind the student that the tongue tip should be visible between the teeth — a common cue is “let me see your tongue peeking out.” Have the student hold the TH position briefly before completing the word to build muscle memory. After each word, ask the student to use it in a short sentence. Track progress and return to challenging words in the next session.

Voiced vs. Voiceless TH

Help students understand the difference by placing a hand on the throat. For voiceless TH words (think, thick, three), the vocal cords do not vibrate. For voiced TH words (this, that, the), they feel a vibration. This tactile cue helps students self-monitor their productions during practice.