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Help with learning letter sounds

Your child knows the letter names (or the ABC song) but not the sounds the letters make, and the sounds are what reading needs. Children learn sounds fastest in a set order, starting with letters that quickly make real words.

For: Parents and pre-K to kindergarten teachers

The whole pack as one PDF

A cover page with the plan, then 14 worksheets in order (15 pages). Free, no sign-up.

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Why it happens

  • Letter names and letter sounds are different: the name of w is “double-u”, its sound is /w/. Children need the sounds to read.
  • In ABC order, the first letters do not make many words. Many phonics programs start with s, a, t, p, i, n because these alone make words like sat, pin and tap.
  • Hearing a sound at the start of a word is the first step; hearing it at the end and in the middle comes later.

What helps

  • Teach the sound with the letter: “this is s, it says sss”. Keep the sound short: /m/, not “muh”.
  • Start with s, a, t, p, i, n, then go on through the alphabet.
  • Say a word and stretch the first sound: sss-sun.
  • Once a few sounds are known, blend them into words straight away: s-a-t, sat.

The planstep by step.

  1. 1Weeks 1–2: s, a, t, p

    One sound every two or three days. Circle the pictures that start with the sound.

    Beginning Sound S WorksheetPre-K – KindergartenBeginning Sound A WorksheetPre-K – KindergartenBeginning Sound T WorksheetPre-K – KindergartenBeginning Sound P WorksheetPre-K – Kindergarten

  2. 2Weeks 3–4: i, n, m, d

    Four more sounds; with these your child can read words like sit, man and pin.

    Beginning Sound I WorksheetPre-K – KindergartenBeginning Sound N WorksheetPre-K – KindergartenBeginning Sound M WorksheetPre-K – KindergartenBeginning Sound D WorksheetPre-K – Kindergarten

  3. 3Weeks 5–6: hear and write

    Write the first letter, then the last letter of words.

    Missing First Letter Worksheet 1 (CVC)KindergartenMissing First Letter Worksheet 2 (CVC)KindergartenEnding Sounds Worksheet 1: Write the Last LetterKindergarten

  4. 4Week 7: first words

    Blend the sounds into short words.

    -AT Word Family WorksheetKindergarten – Grade 1CVC Words Read and Match: Short AKindergartenSound Boxes (Elkonin Boxes) Worksheet: Short aKindergarten – Grade 1

Questions

Questions about learning letter sounds

Still have questions? Visit our Help Center or get in touch.

Should I teach letter names or letter sounds first?
Both are useful, but for reading the sounds matter most. Many teachers teach the sound and the name together, with the sound first.
Why s, a, t, p, i, n first?
These six letters make many simple words (sat, pin, tap, nap, sit), so children can read real words within the first weeks.

Related packs

Knows the sounds but can’t blend them into words12 worksheets · free PDFGetting ready for kindergarten: writing and letters13 worksheets · free PDF

The LetterSchool app

Between worksheets: practise in the app

The same letter shapes as this sheet, with instant feedback on every line, animations and stars. Children play, and learn the right formation.

Try the app for freeHow it works