Word Families
A word family is a group of words that end the same way, changing only the first sound, like cat, hat, and mat. Once a child recognizes the pattern, sounding out a new word in that family becomes much faster.
Examples
- • -at: cat, hat, mat
- • -ig: pig, big, dig
- • -un: sun, bun, run
How to practice at home
- Write the ending (-at) and change the first letter: c, h, m, s.
- Read the list from top to bottom, faster each time.
- Make a flip book or a wheel with the ending fixed.
- Find the family in a story or a sign.
Watch out for
Nonsense words (zat, jat). They are good practice for blending, as long as your child knows they aren't real words.