b box

This is the consonant sound /b/

/b/ should be a really quick plosive sound, with a pop of air like the /p/. It’s the sound you hear when b is at the end of a word, like “rob”.

We could really have less “uh” and more air at the end of the sound in this video :-)

The quick sounds are also called stops: d, b, g, j, p, t, k. Put them at the end of word to hear how their sound: dad, jab, big, tap, pit, bulk. Notice how they can’t be long, like continuous sounds: m, s, l, r, f, n, v, z

Note: teach d and b at different times to avoid confusion

/b/ can also be spelled ‘bb’ as in ‘cubby’

(There’s a practice sheet for reference for correct letter formation).

f fan

This is the consonant sound /f/

/f/ is loooong sound. Like the sounds of m, s, l, r, n, v, z, you can hold “fff” for a long time. See how loooong your little learner can say “f”. It’s not “eff” it’s just “fffff”.

(There’s a practice sheet for reference for correct letter formation).

/f/ can also be spelled ‘ff’ (fluff) or ‘ph’ (phone)

See lessons part 3, lesson 18: when /f/ is spelled ‘ph’

l lid

This is the consonant sound /l/

/l/ is another looooong sound, like m, s, f, r, n, v, z. See how long you can hold it - “lllll” (not “ell”)

(There’s a practice sheet for reference for correct letter formation).

/l/ can also be spelled ‘ll’ (fill) or ‘le’ (apple)

fl flip

This is how you blend consonant sounds together

There are 4 sounds. Say them each individually, then blend them together slowly, then say the whole word.

f l i p

Write them in the air as you say them individually, then write a horizontal line in the air as you blend the sounds left to right.