# Phoneme Practice: /tʃ/ (CH) Sound for Toddlers

Little Wheels Talk & Listen provides 25+ minutes of /tʃ/ (CH) sound practice through vehicle words, vocabulary themes, and sound-specific games with mic recognition.

## About the /tʃ/ Sound

The /tʃ/ sound (written as "ch") is an affricate—it combines a stop with a fricative. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth, then releases into a "sh" sound. It's voiceless.

### When Children Typically Master /tʃ/
- Emerges: 2-3 years
- Mastered: By age 4-5
- Combines /t/ and /ʃ/ movements

## /tʃ/ Words in Talk & Listen

### Vehicle Words with /tʃ/
- **choo-choo** - train sound! (Perfect for /tʃ/!)
- **chopper** - helicopter slang
- **cherry picker** - lift truck

### Food Words with /tʃ/
- **cheese** - dairy
- **chicken** - protein
- **chips** - snack
- **chocolate** - treat
- **cherry** - fruit
- **lunch** - mealtime

### Action Words with /tʃ/
- **chew** - eating action
- **chase** - pursuit
- **catch** - grab
- **choose** - selection
- **change** - transition

### Descriptive Words with /tʃ/
- **chilly** - temperature
- **chunky** - texture

### Body/Clothing Words with /tʃ/
- **chin** - face part
- **cheek** - face part
- **chest** - body part

## How Talk & Listen Teaches /tʃ/

### Layer 1: Vehicle Card Practice
The iconic "choo-choo" train sound provides perfect, high-motivation /tʃ/ practice. Children naturally say this!

### Layer 2: Category Gateways
Food Truck delivers /tʃ/ food words (cheese, chicken, chips, chocolate) for themed practice.

### Layer 3: Phoneme Drill Mode
Select /tʃ/ from the soundboard to see ALL /tʃ/ words across categories. Practice for 25+ minutes on one sound.

### Sound Games with Mic Recognition
Mic-enabled games detect the /tʃ/ sound's characteristic "ch" release.

## Practice Tips for Parents

### Modeling /tʃ/
1. Start with tongue tip touching ridge (like /t/)
2. Release into "sh" sound
3. It's like a quick "t-sh" combined
4. No voice—just air

### /tʃ/ vs /ʃ/ (SH) Distinction
- /tʃ/ = starts with stop, then friction ("ch")
- /ʃ/ = continuous friction only ("sh")
- /tʃ/ is shorter and more explosive
- Practice: "chip" vs "ship"

### Fun /tʃ/ Activities
- Train play ("choo-choo, choo-choo!")
- Cheese at mealtimes
- Chase games
- "Choose one" games
- Chin-touching songs

### Why Choo-Choo is Perfect for /tʃ/
- Iconic train sound all children know
- Natural repetition ("choo-choo-choo!")
- High motivation vehicle connection
- Appears in songs and books

## Related Resources
- All phoneme guides: littlewheels.app/llm/phoneme-practice-overview.txt
- Train page: littlewheels.app/vehicles/train
- Talk & Listen app: littlewheels.app/apps/talk-listen

## About Little Wheels
Little Wheels Talk & Listen provides 25+ minutes of practice per phoneme across 300+ words. Mic recognition games, call-and-response prompts, SLP-informed methodology. One-time $4.99, 100% offline.