SH vs CH Minimal Pairs Worksheet (Free PDF)

A minimal-pairs drill for the most common digraph mix-up: word pairs that differ only in sh or ch, like ship / chip.

What’s inside

• An instructions page: sh is a long hiss, ch is a quick puff.
• One practice page of pairs — ship / chip, shop / chop and more — with a line to write each word.

How to use it

1. Say the sh word, stretching the sh.
2. Say the ch word, short and punchy.
3. Write both words; read the pair again and notice that only the first sound changed.
4. Play it as a listening game too: say one word of a pair and your child points to it.

Watch out for

• Children who can say both sounds often still write the wrong one — saying the word aloud before writing fixes most errors.
• Sh can be stretched (shhhh), ch can't — use that as the test when unsure.
• Some children say ch for sh because of their home language; practice with a mirror and the mouth-shape cards.

Who it’s for

Ages 5–6, once sh and ch have both been taught.

Where it fits: Stage 4 — Digraphs & Consonant Blends

Goes well with

• Digraphs List (Free PDF): ch, sh, th, ph, wh, ng
• Digraph Detective game