4. Hear & Identify

Beginning and Ending Sounds

Once your child knows a few letter sound, the next step is hearing that sound in words.

This is how reading starts to feel real. Alligator Ann is not only /a/ on a stick. Your child begins to notice /a/ at the beginning of apple.

How a practice page works

Each page focuses on one sound.

Example: you are working on C with Camel Cal. You see a picture of a boat.

Say: “bbb-boat. Does that start like /c/ Camel Cal?”
No? Cross it out.
Color the pictures that match the sound. Cross out the ones that do not.

If you have to say it several times, that is normal. This is a new ear skill.

Use the same order as the Letter Friends

Do these pages in the same week as that puppet. New friend + sound pages for that letter. Old friends still get a quick review.

• Unit 1: A, B, C, K

• Unit 2: D, E, F, G

• Unit 3: H, M, N, T, S, Z

• Unit 4: O, P, R, W

• Unit 5: I, J, Q, L

• Unit 6: U, V, Y

Sit together with your child, point, say the sound, and let your child decide. The page is only a way to practice listening. The talking is the lesson.

Start with Unit 1 — the same letters as Month 1 Letter Friends.