Sounds you can stretch: f, v, h, s, z, sh and th

This guide is about sounds you can hold for a long time, like ffff or ssss: f as in fan, v as in van, h as in hat, s as in sun, z as in zoo, sh as in shoe and th as in thumb. For f and v, the top teeth touch the bottom lip. sh and th are later sounds.

The ideas below fit into play, jobs around the house and trips out. The word lists are for English. You can use the same ideas in any language.

When children learn this

Many children say h by about 3; most by about 4.
Many children say f by about 3 and a half; most by about 4.
Many children say sh by about 4; most by about 5.
Many children say s by about 4 and a half; most say s and z by about 5.
Many children say v by about 4 to 5; some not until 6 or later. Studies give different ages for v.
th as in thumb is often one of the last sounds. Many children say it at about 6 to 7; some later. Studies give different ages for th.
th as in this: many children say it at about 5 to 6; some later.
Children learn sounds at different ages. Many say a sound in short words before they can say it in long words.

Common mix-ups

Many children say a quick sound in place of a stretchy one: p for f or t for s ('pish' for 'fish', 'tun' for 'sun') until about 3; b for v or d for z ('bet' for 'vet') until about 4; t for sh or th ('tip' for 'ship', 'ting' for 'thing') until about 5. If one of these is still happening after about 5 (4 for f, 6 for v, 7 for th), mention it to the speech pathologist or your GP.

Try this

While you play

Play hide and seek with a soft toy. Hide it, then find it together.

Your child: Tee you!
You: I see you! I see you behind the couch.

Around the house

At bath time, play with a toy boat or ship and talk about where it goes.

Your child: My tip!
You: Your ship. The ship is sailing to the tap.

When you go out

At the beach or a sandpit, talk about the sand, the water and your feet.

Your child: My too wet.
You: Your shoe is wet. We can put your shoe in the sun.

Words to use in your talk

Use these words in your own talk. Your child does not have to say them.

f

Easier words: fan, fun, foot, food, feet

Harder words: leaf, knife, coffee, butterfly, elephant

sh

Easier words: shell, shed, shut, sheet, show

Harder words: fish, brush, washing, cushion, bush

Why it helps

When you say words with f, v, h, s, z, sh and th the usual way in your own talk, your child hears how these sounds are used. Your child does not have to say the words after you or copy you.

When to get help

Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child's s sounds slushy, with air coming out the side. This is worth mentioning at any age.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child says the same word a different way each time.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child uses one sound in place of many different sounds.
Tell the speech pathologist or your GP if your child is 4 or older and people who do not know them cannot understand much of what they say.

Safety and when to act

If your child stops using words or skills they had, or you have new worries, see your GP. Do not wait.
If your child is 3 or older and people who know them well understand very little of what they say, or your child is 2 or older and not putting two or more words together, see your GP or child health nurse for advice.
Hearing problems can affect talking. Ask your GP about a hearing test, especially after a lot of ear infections.
If your child stutters, contact a speech pathologist. Give your child time to finish. Do not use word lists or sound games with a child who stutters unless your speech pathologist says so.
Tell your GP if your child often coughs, chokes or gags when eating or drinking, has wet or gurgly breathing, keeps getting chest infections, or is losing weight. If food is stuck and your child cannot swallow, go to the nearest emergency department. If it is hard for them to breathe, call 000 and ask for an ambulance. If your child is choking and cannot cough or make a sound, start first aid and call 000.
Do not ask your child to say a word again and again. They may get frustrated.
You can do these ideas in any language. Learning more than one language does not cause talking problems.
These ideas do not replace a speech pathologist. Stay on the waitlist.

More help

Sources

Last checked 12 October 2026

Sounds you can stretch: f, v, h, s, z, sh and th