Short Vowels
Short vowel sounds show up in most early reading words, so getting comfortable with all five of them opens the door to CVC words and beyond. Each vowel's short sound is usually quicker and simpler to say than its long, letter-name sound.
Examples
- • a → apple
- • e → bed
- • i → pig
- • o → hot
- • u → sun
How to practice at home
- Teach one vowel at a time with one picture: a as in apple.
- Read CVC words that change only the vowel: bat, bet, bit, bot, but.
- Make a hand signal for each vowel.
- Sort pictures by their middle sound.
Watch out for
Short e and short i, which sound alike to many children (pen, pin). Say them side by side and look at your mouth shape in a mirror.