T + H = TH

Today we learned about the two sounds that T and H make when they are together in a word and how the TH sound is different from the sound that F makes.  I try to get the kids to visualize what their mouths do for each sound they want.  In "three" the th is "unvoiced" or "airy" and the tongue comes out between the teeth and between the lips.  In the word "the" the TH is "voiced" an the tongue only comes out between the teeth.  In "fox"  the tongue stays in and the top teeth rest on the bottom lip.  If your tongue doesn't come out, it is an F; if it does come out, it is a TH. See if your child can tell you what letter(s) these words start with: (they/them, thorn, football)