TH Word List

Voiced & Voiceless /TH/ Practice with Functional Carryover Ideas

If a child is having difficulty producing the /th/ sound, this TH word list for speech therapy provides structured support, clear placement guidance, and functional practice ideas. This page is designed for both speech-language pathologists and caregivers who want effective, real-world articulation practice—not just lists of words.

Rather than storing word lists in folders, this page focuses on how to teach, practice, and generalize /th/ across daily routines.

How This Page Supports TH Articulation Therapy

On this page, you’ll find:

• Voiced and voiceless TH word lists for quick reference
• A clear explanation of how to produce /th/ correctly
• A short video demonstrating placement and airflow
• Functional articulation ideas that support generalization
• A free articulation therapy sample to learn core techniques
• Optional next steps for ongoing articulation support

TH Word List for Speech Therapy

Use these words for structured practice, sentence expansion, and conversational carryover. Words are organized by voiced and voiceless productions to support therapy planning.

TH Voiceless Word List

TH Voiced Word List

How to Say the TH Sound

Correct /th/ production requires visible tongue placement and airflow awareness.

• Tongue tip protrudes slightly between the teeth
• Teeth are gently closed
• Lips are relaxed
• Air flows forward

Voiced /th/: vocal folds are on (this, that)
Voiceless /th/: vocal folds are off (think, thin)

Accurate placement must be established before expecting carryover into connected speech. For more tips on articulation development, check out this page.

Watch: TH Sound Placement & Tips (Video)

Some learners benefit from visual modeling. The video below demonstrates:

• Tongue placement for voiced and voiceless /th/
• Common error patterns
• Simple cues to support correct production

Functional Articulation Practice for TH

The /th/ sound is a later-developing sound, typically mastered around age 6. Practice is most effective when embedded into meaningful routines rather than isolated drills.

Try these no-flashcard TH practice ideas:

• Thank you – Use throughout the day
• Thirty – Count from 20–40
• Toothpaste – Say before brushing teeth
• Bathtub – Use during bath time
• Something – Play guessing games
• The – Emphasize during shared reading

Take turns saying and listening for accurate productions. Auditory awareness supports self-monitoring.

Different Types of TH Errors

Not all TH errors are treated the same way. Understanding the error pattern helps guide therapy decisions.

Common patterns include:

• Substitutions (e.g., f or d for th)
• Stopping
• Omission

Each pattern requires different teaching and cueing strategies.

Want to Learn Articulation Therapy Techniques?

If you want a clearer understanding of how articulation therapy is taught, start with the free /s/ packet.

Although the packet targets the /s/ sound, it walks through foundational articulation therapy techniques—including placement cues, airflow awareness, cue fading, and early generalization—that apply across sounds, including /th/.

The free /s/ packet includes:

• High-frequency practice words
• Structured and functional activities
• Materials designed to support carryover

This is a helpful way to see how articulation therapy is structured before moving on to more advanced materials.

Looking for Ongoing TH & Articulation Support?

The Speech Therapy Talk Membership includes articulation resources designed to support sound acquisition, consistency, and generalization across settings.

Members have access to:

• Articulation screening tools
• Data tracking sheets
• Parent handouts
• Functional articulation games
• Sentence- and conversation-level practice
• Language-based articulation activities

Materials are designed to support therapy—not overwhelm it.

Reference: Phonetic Development