Watch on YouTube · More tips on the Speech by Katie channel
Is your child saying "sip" instead of "ship" or "seep" instead of "sheep"? The SH sound often gets mixed with S (and sometimes CH). Parents can help with clear, simple cues — and a little daily practice goes a long way.
I'm Katie Tashkin, MS, CCC-SLP. These five tips match the strategies I demonstrate on my YouTube channel and with families in the Tampa Bay area.
Who this helps: parents of kids roughly ages 4–8 working on SH sound articulation and home practice.
Tip 1: Show how SH differs from S
Both sounds use continuous airflow, but lip and tongue shape differ. For SH, lips are often more rounded and the tongue is pulled slightly back compared with a smile-forward S. Exaggerate the contrast: "ssss" vs "shhhh."
Tip 2: Play the "quiet" shushing game
Make SH fun: "library voice," "baby is sleeping," or "quiet the dragon." Playful shushing builds the sound without pressure to "say it right" on hard words first.
Tip 3: Start at the ends of words
Some children produce final SH more easily (as in "fish," "wash," "push") before initial SH ("ship," "shoe"). If beginnings are hard, start where success is easier, then move forward.
Tip 4: Don't confuse SH and CH
SH is continuous ("shhhh"). CH is a quick stop-and-release ("ch!"). If your child says "chip" for "ship" or the reverse, practice pairs and talk about "long quiet sound" vs "pop sound."
Tip 5: Build SH into bedtime
Books and routines beat flashcards. Try bedtime words with SH — "brush," "wash," "shh, night-night" — so practice fits life instead of fighting it.
When home tips aren't enough
If SH stays mixed with S or CH, or speech is hard for others to understand, a free consult can clarify whether targeted therapy would help. Schedule here — no referral needed. Step Up scholarships accepted for eligible Florida families.
More parent resources: S sound tips · articulation therapy · YouTube