Introducing Letter-Sound Correspondences in Your Flexible Daily Reading Routine

The science of reading shows us that building from simple to complex is key for success. We’ll start with the basics and gradually work our way up.

The alphabet has 26 letters, but those letters make 44 different sounds, and there are 240 ways to spell them. These sounds are grouped into categories: consonants, vowels, short vowels, long vowels, r-controlled vowels, tricky graphemes, digraphs, and trigraphs. It might seem overwhelming, but by starting simple and taking it step-by-step, it will soon feel like second nature.

Make sure to grab the Parent Cheat Sheet in the parent e-course for a list of all 44 sounds and proper letter formation. These sounds are arranged from easiest to hardest, so you can follow along and see how they build on each other.

Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Letter Bb

1. Introduce the Letter Name and Sound

• You: "This is the letter B (show uppercase ‘B’ and lowercase 'b'). It makes the sound /b/, like in the word 'ball.'"
• Example: Hold up a picture of a ball or bounce an actual ball while saying, "B makes the sound /b/."

2. Explore How It Feels

• You: "Let’s think about how our mouth feels when we say /b/. Where’s your tongue? Do you feel air? Does your voice buzz?"
• Example: "Put your hand on your throat when you say /b/—do you feel the buzzing? Notice the puff of air that comes out of your mouth."
• Activity: Use a mirror to show how your lips come together to make the sound /b/.

3. Build Association

• You: "Let’s think of some words that start with /b/."
• Example: "We have ball, bat, boat—what else starts with /b/?"
• Activity: Show pictures of items like a ball, bat, and butterfly, and ask, "Which one starts with /b/?"

4. Create Scaffolding Strategies

• You: "Let’s come up with a hand motion to help us remember the sound /b/."
• Example: "I like to pretend I’m bouncing a ball every time I say /b/." (Demonstrate bouncing an imaginary ball.)
• Activity: Encourage your child to create their own hand motion for /b/—maybe tapping their fist like bouncing something.

5. Practice Letter Formation

• You: "Now let’s practice writing the letter B."
• Example: "Start at the top, make a straight line down, then come back to the top and draw two curves to make a big B."
• Activity: If your child isn’t writing yet, have them form the letter B using pom-pom balls, play dough, or trace it with their finger in sand or on paper.

By following this step-by-step approach, your child will not only learn the letter Bb but will also build strong connections between letters and sounds, forming the foundation for reading.