Mel’s Mundane Meanderings

Gabriel went to his first speech therapy (well, the first in a while) appointment this week. The therapist said he tried really hard and sent us home with homework. We’re supposed to work on the “ch” sound, in the initial, middle and final positions.

While on the subject, I am all for any kind of benificial therapy for kids with SID/SPD, Autism, speech delays or related conditions. I also know that a lot of insurance companies don’t exactly make access to these services easy or affordable for many. So, if I ever think I can post any techniques that the therapists teach me, I will. I don’t think that finding help online is a substitution for actual therapy, but it’s better than nothing if you can’t afford it. I’m not a Speech-Language Pathologist, but I feel like I’m a pretty well-educated parent (well, on this topic, anyway), so I’ll tell you what works for me.

So, with that in mind, I’m posting a list of “ch” words that you can work with your child on. I’ll post more speech activities and resources in the future.

Starting out: tell your child that you’re going to play a “train” game. Move around the room, making a “ch, ch, ch” sound.

Next, tell your child you’re going to see if they can say some words with the “ch” sound in it. Say one of the words on the list below, over-emphasizing the “ch” sound, and then say it again, “normally.” Then ask your child if he/she can say the word again, with you. If the child doesn’t get it, say “let’s try that again” – but don’t go over each word too many times or the child will become frustrated and/or discouraged.

Initial (starting) “ch”-sound words:
cheerleader
cheesecake
champ
chickadee
chaps
chest
chariot
chipmunk
chestnuts
chart
chicken
charcoal
chalk
chili
chopsticks

Medial (middle) “ch”-sound words:
pitchfork
coaches
watchdog
benches
hatchet
pitcher
question
inchworm
teacher
orchard
witches
poncho
stretcher
creature
wheelchair

Final (ending) “ch”-sound words:
pooch
rich
butterscotch
batch
beach
roach
patch
lunch
peach
perch
ranch
bleach
sandwich
ostrich