Voiceless TH Sound Words
The voiceless TH sound is made with the tongue tip near the teeth and the voice off, as in 'thumb' and 'bath'.
Age of acquisition. Most children produce voiceless TH clearly between ages 4 and a half and 6. Norms vary between children and between sources, so treat this as a rough guide, not a deadline. If you have concerns, an SLP can assess.
How to make it. Put the tongue tip lightly between or just behind the front teeth and blow air through with the voice off.
How to practice the Voiceless TH sound at home
- Start at the word level, then move to short phrases and sentences once the voiceless TH sound is easy on its own.
- Practice in short, frequent bursts. Five focused minutes a day beats one long weekly session.
- Model it first: say the word slowly, stretch the voiceless TH sound so your child can hear it, then have them copy you.
- Use the picture cards to keep it playful, and praise good tries, not just perfect ones.
Voiceless TH sound questions
- What words have the voiceless TH sound?
- This page lists voiceless TH words grouped by position (beginning, middle, and end of the word) and by syllable count, each with a picture card and tap-to-hear audio. Scroll down for the full list.
- At what age should my child say the voiceless TH sound?
- Most children produce voiceless TH clearly between ages 4 and a half and 6. Norms vary between children and between sources, so treat this as a rough guide, not a deadline. If you have concerns, an SLP can assess.