How to Teach Your Child the “CH” and “J” Sounds!

Global Education Therapy, formally known as Worldwide Speech, is the pioneer of online education, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. We have over 12 years of experience providing services online.

Before diving into learning “ch” and “j,” we want to define a few important terms:

1. Speech Sound Disorder: Umbrella term for errors when making speech sounds.

2. Articulation Disorder: Errors making specific sounds (e.g., a lisp)

3. Phonological Disorder: A pattern of errors that affect more than one sound

Many parents have concerns about their child’s speech sounds. Sometimes their speech errors are age-appropriate, but other times speech therapy is required to teach the correct placement of the moving parts in their speech machine (e.g., tongue, teeth, and lips). We call these moving parts “articulators.” Wondering if your child’s speech sound errors are age-appropriate? Check out our FREE speech sound acquisition parent handout below or download the PDF HERE.

Did you know boys and girls develop speech sounds differently? Girls typically acquire sounds earlier than boys.

Errors with CH and J

For boys, “ch” should be accurately pronounced between 4-7 years old. For girls, it will be between 4 and 6 years old. The “ch” sound is found in words like “chat, watching, and catch.”

“J” on the other hand, is learned by boys between 3 ½  and 7 and by girls between 3 ½ and 4 ½. The “J” sound is found in words like jump, budgie, nudge.

How to Say CH and J

Ch and J are two consonants that have the same placement of articulators with the only difference being that one is voiced (voice box buzzing) and the other is voiceless (no buzzing). The best example for learning the difference between voiced and unvoiced sounds is with /s/ and /z/. Try it! Put your hand on your throat when you stretch out the /s/ sound. Now try it with /z/. Notice that your articulators are all in the same place and the only difference between the sounds is buzzing in the voice box.

While the way we pronounce “s” and “z” is pretty easy to explain, the way your mouth moves for “ch” and “j” is a little more difficult to teach.

CH:

1. The tip of the tongue is up behind your front teeth

2. Air is “exploded” out of the mouth through pushed-out lips, similar to saying the “sh” sound in the word, “shut.”

3. Voicebox is not buzzing

J: 

1. The tip of the tongue is up behind your front teeth

2. Air is “exploded” out of the mouth through pushed-out lips, similar to saying the “sh” sound in the word, “shut.”

3. Voicebox is buzzing

So, as a parent, what can you do to help?

1. If you are worried about your child’s speech sounds, it’s time to see a speech therapist. Don’t “wait and see.” The longer your child makes a sound incorrectly, the longer they’ll be in speech therapy. It’s just like breaking a habit, so the earlier the better! Looking for a speech therapist with flexible hours and no commute? Sign up for a free consultation with Global Education Therapy, an online practice dedicated to increasing access to educational services nationwide! We’ll connect you with an online, expert speech therapist who best meets your child’s special needs.

2. Show them the correct pronunciation of the sound during communication. Children are sponges and soak up knowledge indirectly. 

3. After your child has been taught the correct placement for their target sound, ask your clinician about our product Speech Pals: ch, j . Your therapist can purchase the product and share it with you to practice at home. The best part is that because it’s in Microsoft PowerPoint format, the only thing you have to do is click!

Still have questions? You can always reach out to Global Education Therapy! Go to Global Education Therapy for our…

• FREE parent handouts 

• FREE parent resource videos

• FREE online parent support group

• FREE online webinars

FREE 20 min consultation with Global Education Therapy to see if we can GET the help your child needs!