Letters & early reading
Beginning sound picture sort
Sort six pictures by their initial /s/, /p/ or /b/ sound, with three labelled mats and an answer guide.
3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Word activity · Free printable
First CVC word activities
A short word can become a small puzzle once a child knows the letter–sound links it contains. This pack uses cat, dog, pig, sun, cup and hat. Say a sound for each letter, then blend the sounds into the whole word. The picture is a way to check meaning after reading, rather than a clue that replaces looking at the letters.
Take a little peek6 items · Original illustrations
cat
dog
pig
sun
cup
hat
Picture-play preview shown. The PDF contains the word activity layout.
Inside the printable
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Blend a familiar three-sound word and connect the spoken word with its printed form and picture.
A little way to play
- Choose one word containing letter–sound correspondences your child has already met. An adult names the picture first if its meaning is unfamiliar.
- Cover the picture. Point below each letter and say its sound, keeping stop sounds short instead of adding “uh”. Sweep a finger under the word and blend it.
- Uncover the picture and ask whether it fits the word you read. Model the whole process warmly if blending is still difficult.
- On the practice sheet, say the pictured word, listen for its middle sound and choose the missing vowel. Say the completed word together.
Make it easier
Let an adult blend the sounds while the child chooses between two pictures. Use only one or two words; listening and joining the final blended word are worthwhile participation.
Try a little moreChange cat to hat and compare the first sounds. Ask what stayed the same. Return to a familiar word later without its picture, rather than adding a long list of new words.
For the grown-up
This is supplementary practice, not a phonics teaching sequence or a school scheme. Use your school’s sound pronunciations. The selected words have simple one-letter spellings; accents can change vowel pronunciation without making a child wrong.
Answers & naming help
The missing letters are: cat = a; dog = o; pig = i; sun = u; cup = u; hat = a. Read each completed word as a whole. This set does not practise every vowel.
cat · dog · pig · sun · cup · hat
How do I print this?
Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.
Helpful parent guides
Keep the discoveries going.
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