List of "sh" words for SLPs

Summary

• Use this comprehensive resource of “sh” words to target the ʃ phoneme in initial, medial, and final word positions during structured articulation drills.

• Customize therapy by selecting words based on each client’s specific strengths and challenges, adjusting cues and supports to promote accurate and independent sound production.

• Increase generalization by rotating in varied practice opportunities, pairing the list of “sh” words with games, picture cards, and engaging activities to reinforce repetition.

• Progress from word-level practice to sentence-level production by incorporating structured sentences that support carryover into conversational speech.

• Support long-term articulation success by modeling accurate production, gradually fading prompts, and integrating consistent home practice activities.

For speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with clients on articulation, the “sh” sound is a common therapy target.

The majority of children will acquire this fricative consonant phoneme, transcribed as ʃ, by age five, though timelines differ across assessment tools and criteria. But for those with an articulation delay or disorder, it can take longer. 

This is where the support of an SLP makes a world of difference.

Articulation drills are a standard component of speech therapy for clients working on sounds like “sh”, and our “sh words” resource offers a great starting point. 

Keep in mind that although this resource is focused specifically on words containing the letters “sh,” the ʃ phoneme (the sound we think of as “sh”) can actually be represented by several other letter combinations in English: “s” as in “sugar,” “ss” as in “mission,” “ch” as in “chef,” and “ti” as in “ration.” 

SLPs targeting the “sh” sound in articulation therapy can rotate in words containing these letter combinations that also represent the ʃ phoneme. 

Here, we’re covering initial “sh” words, medial “sh” words, and final “sh” words. Whether you’re integrating words into therapeutic games during sessions or providing clients with home practice activities, you’ll find this list of “sh” words has flexible uses. 

Since clients typically move through a hierarchy of sounds in isolation, words, and sentences, we’ve also compiled a list of sentences with “sh.” When you’re ready to progress to the next level of production in speech therapy, we’ve got you covered. 

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Targeting “sh” words

Are your clients ready to address the “sh” sound at the word level?

In speech-language therapy, you may target a phoneme like “sh” in one or multiple positions within words simultaneously. SLPs always have the flexibility to decide what style of intervention makes sense for each individual they’re supporting. While some clients may find it easy to produce “sh” in medial words but not initial words, others may struggle with “sh” in the final position. 

The best clinicians are able to customize therapy targets to match each client’s specific needs and strengths. Our list of “sh” words for speech therapy is designed to make that easy.

If generalization of “sh” to contexts outside the therapy room is the goal, mixing in a variety of words containing the target sounds is key, along with lots of repetition.

To make the most of each session, incorporate these initial, medial, and final “sh” words into articulation drills. This list includes “sh” words for kids and adults, making it simple to pivot between clients of all ages working on the same sound.

This “sh” words worksheet includes 25 words with “sh” in the initial, medial, and final positions. To get the most out of this list of “sh” words, consider pairing them with picture cards or practicing them while playing simple games like Jenga, Uno, or Connect Four. 

To start out, speech therapists may model production of each word containing “sh,” produce the words in tandem with clients, or offer other verbal or visual cues. 

With time, prompting can fade as the individual becomes successful at independently and accurately producing “sh words.”

List of “sh” words

Initial "sh" words	Medial "sh" words	Final "sh" words
shoe	fishing	fish
shiny	wishing	dish
ship	pushing	mash
shop	mashed	cash
short	dishes	bash
shout	washing	gush
show	bashes	wash
shed	lashes	swish
shake	gushing	quash
shovel	cushion	hash
shut	usher	lavish
shuffle	mushy	lash
shimmy	wishes	rehash
shepherd	fashion	finish
shiver	marshy	establish
shelter	hushes	rush
shelf	slushy	blush
share	dashing	slush
shrimp	freshen	crush
shrub	smashed	rash
shadow	cashier	flash
shirt	splashing	trash
sheep	rushing	splash
shell	brushing	brush
shark	ashes	wish

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Sentences with “sh”

When your clients are ready to progress to the next level, these sentences with “sh” make excellent therapy targets.

Once clients are consistently producing the “sh” sound in words with a high level of accuracy, it’s time to increase the challenge level.

Consider integrating these sentences with “sh” in therapeutic activities like games, crafts, or storytelling. They’re a starting point as clients move along the continuum from production of the phoneme in isolation to accurate production in conversational speech. 

These 30 sentences contain a mix of initial “sh” words, medial ”sh” words, and final ”sh” words:

1. The sheep are soft and white. 

2. He found a nice shell. 

3. I wear two shoes. 

4. She wears a shiny hat. 

5. The big ship sailed away. 

6. My blue shirt is clean. 

7. The man is short. 

8. The girls went to the shop. 

9. The shadow is spooky. 

10.  Show me your painting. 

11.  I saw ashes in the fireplace. 

12.  She went fishing with dad. 

13.  I am wishing for a puppy. 

14.  She is brushing her hair. 

15.  They are splashing in the sea. 

16.  I hear the waves crashing. 

17.  She washes the floor. 

18.  He eats hushpuppies. 

19.  Please clean the dirty dishes. 

20.  The dresses have sashes. 

21.  I saw a fish in the lake. 

22.  She ate the soup from a big dish. 

23.  What is your wish?

24.  Don’t forget to brush your teeth. 

25.  He has enough cash. 

26.  Mash the potatoes. 

27.  They had to rush to catch the train. 

28.  Throw the garbage in the trash. 

29.  She has a stash of candy. 

30.  Don’t crush the cookies. 

Progress on articulation goals in speech therapy takes time. Patience and persistence is key. SLPs can support the individuals they work with on their journey by integrating a variety of therapy materials and techniques. 

While it might seem out of reach at first, mastery of the “sh” sound is possible with the guidance of experienced SLPs. 

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