beginning digraph words

less than a minute read 06-09-2024

Introduction to Digraphs

In the English language, digraphs are pairs of letters that combine to represent a single sound (phoneme). Understanding and recognizing these digraphs is an essential skill for early readers and writers.

What Are Digraphs?

A digraph can be composed of two consonants, two vowels, or one of each. However, in this article, we will focus on beginning consonant digraphs, which are typically found at the start of words.

Common Beginning Consonant Digraphs

Here are some common beginning digraphs:

ch (as in "chair")
sh (as in "shoe")
th (as in "this")
wh (as in "whale")
ph (as in "phone")

Examples of Beginning Digraph Words

Words with "ch"

Chair
Cheese
Chirp
Chocolate

Words with "sh"

Shirt
Shout
Shark
Sheep

Words with "th"

Thumb
Thank
Thought
Theme

Words with "wh"

Whale
Wheat
Whisk
Whisper

Words with "ph"

Phone
Photo
Phrase
Physics

Importance of Digraphs in Reading

Recognizing beginning digraph words is crucial for children as they start their reading journey. It helps them:

Improve decoding skills.
Expand their vocabulary.
Gain confidence in reading aloud.

Conclusion

Understanding beginning digraph words is a fundamental step in early literacy. By practicing these digraphs and their corresponding words, children can enhance their reading abilities and develop a solid foundation for future learning. Encourage young readers to explore and identify these sounds, making reading a fun and engaging activity!