Phonics Practice · Step 3 of 12
Sound it out
Blend three sounds into a word: tap each sound, then slide to say it fast.
Made by Teddy Rook Book to practice alongside Hannah Ward's lessons. It is not part of her curriculum. About this practice
For grown-ups
What this step teaches
Blending is the heart of reading: say each sound in order, then run them together into a word. These are three-sound words with a short vowel in the middle (cat, sit, mop). Your child taps each sound box, saying the sound, then slides a finger under the word and says it fast.
As you practice: Tap and say each sound, then slide and say the word fast. If a word comes out choppy, say it again with the sounds held and joined.
Away from the screen
- Use three cups or sticky notes, one letter each. Touch each one as you say its sound, then sweep your finger under them and say the word.
- Play “robot talk”: say a word in sounds (/p/ /i/ /g/) and let your child say it fast (pig). Then swap.
- Hold the sounds you can hold so they run together: “mmmaaat” is easier to blend than separate sounds.
With Hannah's lessons
Goes with Hannah's Teach Your Child to Read in 120 Lessons once your child is sounding out short words there, and with the first part of Phonics Reading Boot Camp.
📖 Read in 120 Lessons🎯 Phonics Boot Camp
Hannah's lessons may bring in sounds in a different order. Follow her order, and use the step here that matches what she has taught.
Heart words for this step
Heart words are common words with a part that doesn't follow the rules your child knows yet. Sound out the regular parts, and learn the ♥ part by heart.
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