Two kindergarteners I am teaching this fall are having the same problem when trying to figure out the sound a letter is associated with. They are listening to the beginning sound of the letter name, and they are assuming that must be the sound linked to the letter.
In some cases they are right. The name of the letter B begins with a “b” sound, just like the sound B stands for. The name of the letter K begins with a “k” sound, just like the sound K stands for.
But for many letters, this correlation does not hold true. The name of the letter C, for example, begins with an S sound. The name of the letter F begins with an E sound. The name of the letter G begins with a J sound. The name of the letter W begins with a D sound.
Take a look at the table below and notice how many letter names do not begin with the sound that the letter represents. By my count, it’s more than half.
Letter Sound the letter name begins with
a a
b b
c s
d d
e e
f e
g j
h a
i i
j j
k k
l e
m e
n e
o o
p p
q k
r ah
s e
t t
u y
v v
w d
x e
y w
z z
So, if you have a little one struggling to pair a letter name with the sound the letter stands for, relax. It’s normal. Be patient. Gently correct the mistake as many times as it takes. Your child will get it eventually. We all do.
comicphonics for early readers 