Phonics for Kids: Letter Sounds, Blending and Easy CVC Words (Free Worksheet)

The letter S is called "ess", but what sound does it make? In this phonics lesson, children learn the difference between letter names and letter sounds, practise 12 first sounds (s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d, g, o, c, k) with picture words, and blend sounds to read simple words like sat, pin, cat and dog. They spot reading mistakes, go on a Sound Hunt at home, and finish with a 5-question quiz.

1. Every Letter Has a Name and a Sound

• The name is what we say in the ABC song: A, B, C…
• The sound is what we hear when we read: /a/, /b/, /k/…
• We read words with sounds, not names.

2. First Sounds: s a t p i n

• s – sun
• a – apple
• t – tiger
• p – pen
• i – insect
• n – nest

3. More Sounds: m d g o c k

• m – mango
• d – dog
• g – goat
• o – orange
• c – cat
• k – kite

4. Blend the Sounds to Read

s · a · t (sat), p · i · n (pin), c · a · t (cat), d · o · g (dog)

5. Spot the Mistake

• ❌ c-a-t read as “see-ay-tee”  →  ✅ /k/ /a/ /t/ → cat
• ❌ sat read as “sit”  →  ✅ s-a-t → sat

6. Your Turn

Ask your child these questions. Answers are in brackets.

• What is the first sound in mango? (/m/)
• What is the first sound in tiger? (/t/)
• Blend: p · a · n (pan)
• Blend: m · o · p (mop)

7. Activity: Sound Hunt

You need: your home, a notebook, a pencil.

1. Pick a sound, like /m/.
2. Find 3 things at home that start with that sound: mug, mat, mirror.
3. Say each word slowly and listen for the first sound.
4. Draw them in your notebook.
5. Try a new sound tomorrow!

8. Quick Recap

• Every letter has a name and a sound.
• We read with sounds: /s/ /a/ /t/.
• C and K both say /k/.
• Blend sounds to read: s-a-t → sat.
• Listen for the first sound in words.

Free Worksheet

Download and print the worksheet (answer key included):

Phonics: Letter Sounds worksheet (PDF) →

Take the Online Test

22 questions with instant answers and explanations:

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