Blending
Blending means saying the sounds in a written word one after another and pushing them together to hear the whole word, like /c/ /a/ /t/ → cat.
Phonics · Ages 4–5 · 30 minutes
First letter sounds - s, a, t, p, i, n
Children say the pure sounds /s/ /a/ /t/ /p/ /i/ /n/, match each sound to its letter, and blend them to read first words such as sat, pin and tap.
Success criteria
- I can say the sound for each letter
- I can point to the letter when I hear its sound
- I can blend sounds to read a short word
Key vocabulary
- sound
- letter
- blend
- word
- sound talk
You will need
- large letter cards s a t p i n
- a bag of small objects or pictures
- magnetic letters
- mini whiteboards and pens
Curriculum links
- Reception· England
Practice sheets
Generated fresh each time you press a button, and marked instantly on screen.
Tracing practice
Missing letters
Beginning sounds
This plan covers the first set of six sounds. Most classes meet one or two new sounds a day, so run the Teach section once for each new sound across the week, then use the whole plan as the end-of-set review. The order s, a, t, p, i, n is common, but follow your school's programme order if it differs.
1.Starter
Revisit and review, 5 minutesSit in a circle with a "sound bag" of real objects: a sock, a spoon, a toy ant, a tin, a pen, a toy pig. Pull one out slowly.
"Listen to my mouth: /sss/... sock. Sock starts with /s/. Your turn."
Children echo the sound, then the word. Ask, "Does spoon start with /s/ too?" Thumbs up or down. Keep this oral. Children don't need letters yet, just the sound at the start of a word.
sun
ant
tent
pig
igloo
net
2.Teach
12 minutesShow one letter card at a time. Use the same routine for every sound so children know what's coming.
Step by step
- See itHold up the card. "This letter makes the sound /t/."
- Say itChildren say it three times: loud, whisper, robot voice. Listen for a clean sound with no "uh" on the end.
- Feel it"When I say /t/, my tongue taps behind my top teeth. Short and quick." For /s/: "Smile and let the air hiss out, like a snake."
- Write itModel the letter in the air with a big arm, saying the formation as you go: "Over the top, round and back" for s.
- Find itShow three pictures. "Which one starts with /t/? Tent!"
Once three sounds are known, model your first blend. Write sat on the board and draw a dot (a sound button) under each letter.
"Sound talk: press each button and say the sound. /s/ /a/ /t/. Now push them together: sat. I can read a word!"
Repeat with tap and pin once those letters are taught.
