Phonic Sounds - Ch, Sh, Th, Wh, Ph (video Lessons, Examples, Songs)

The following diagram gives some examples of words that begin with sh, ch, th, wh. Scroll down the page for examples and explanations.

Sounds of ch, sh, th, wh, ph
ch sound	sh sound	th sound
wh sound	ph sound	English for Kids

CH sound

The CH digraph has three different sounds: /ch/ as in “chair” (most common) /k/ as in “chorus” (Greek origin) /sh/ as in “chef” (French origin) Examples: /ch/: chair, chocolate, chop, cheese /k/: school, chorus, chemistry /sh/: chef, machine, brochure

ch - Phonics

chin, chuck, chop Cheese, chalk, chain, chick, chicken, chocolate, cherry, watch

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Letterland Spelling Tip: ‘ch’ Sound

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SH sound

The SH digraph always makes the soft /sh/ sound.

sh - Phonics

shop, shut, ship sheep, shed, shirt, shoes, fish, toothbrush

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Letterland Spelling Tip: ‘sh’ Sound

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TH sound

The TH digraph has two sounds: Voiceless /th/: Air flows freely (as in “think” or “thick”). Voiced /th/: Vocal cords vibrate (as in “this” or “the”).

th - Phonics - thick, thin, thirsty / this, then, with

The two sounds made by the TH. One is soft like in the word think. One is spoken like in the word this.

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Let’s Learn About the Digraph th

Phonics Song for Kids

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WH sound

The WH digraph is pronounced as /w/ in modern English but was historically /hw/.

wh - Phonics - where, when, white

wh - whisk, white, wheel, whisper, whenever, whistle, whale, why, where, which, what.

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WH Digraph Sound

WH Song and Practice

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PH sound

The PH digraph makes the /f/ sound and is often found in words of Greek origin.

ph words - Phonics - phone, sphere, dolphin

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Between the Lions: The “ph” Song (Phish Tribute)

Sounds like an “F” but it’s a ‘PH’.

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Consonant Digraphs
CH Sound	SH Sound	Soft TH
Hard TH	WH Sound	PH Sound
GH Sound	NG Sound	Consonant Digraphs

Free Printable Worksheets for Consonant Digraphs

These worksheets focus on the consonant digraphs: ch, sh, th, qu and ng.

Printable Worksheets (Consonant Digraphs)
Learning "ch"	Learning "sh"
Learning "th"	Learning "qu"
Learning "ng"

Learn the sound of the letters

Learning Short Vowels

Short Vowels
Short A	Short E	Short I
Short O	Short U	Short Vowels

Learning Long Vowels

Long Vowels
Long A	Long E	Long I
Long O	Long U	Y (vowel)
Long Vowels	Short & Long Vowels

Compare Short & Long Vowels

Short & Long Vowels
Short & Long A	Short & Long E	Short & Long I
Short & Long O	Short & Long U

Learning the Sound of Consonants

Consonant Sounds
B Sound	Hard C	Soft C
D Sound	F Sound	Hard G
Soft G	H Sound	J Sound
K Sound	L Sound	M Sound
N Sound	P Sound	Q Sound
P Sound	S Sound	T Sound
V Sound	W Sound	X Sound
Y Sound	Z Sound

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