Teaching Digraphs to Kids: Easy Tips for Parents to Help with Reading Success
NOTE: English is a complex language with numerous rules and patterns! For the sake of simplicity in this blog post (and with young learners in mind), we will focus on the 5 most common consonant digraphs (sh, th, ph, ch, and wh).
However, if you're interested in exploring the complexities of the English language, I highly recommend reading "Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy" by Denise Eide. This is one of my favorite books! She breaks down the English language and provides examples of all the whys and hows of spelling and reading.
Introduction: Teaching Digraphs to Kids
Learning the sounds for digraphs is a crucial step in your child's reading journey! In this blog post, we’ll explore what digraphs are, why they’re important, and how you can teach them to your child in fun and effective ways. Let’s jump in!
What are Digraphs?
A digraph occurs when two letters come together to create a single sound.
The word "digraph" comes from the Greek words "di," meaning "two," and "graph," meaning "to write."
So, a digraph is literally "two written letters" that produce one sound.
Common Digraphs in the English Language:
Consonant Digraphs: CH, SH, TH, WH, PH, CK
Vowel Digraphs: AI, EA, EE, OA, OO
What is a consonant digraph?
A consonant digraph consists of two consonants that work together to make one sound. For example:
CH as in "chocolate"
SH as in "ship"
TH as in "this"
WH as in "whale"
PH as in "phone"
What is a vowel digraph?
A vowel digraph occurs when two vowels team up to represent one vowel sound. Common examples include:
AI as in "rain"
EA as in "beach"
EE as in "tree"
OA as in "boat"
OO as in "moon"
Learners typically learn consonant digraphs before vowel digraphs!
Digraph vs. Blend: What’s the Difference?
It’s important to distinguish between digraphs and blends for kids. Because in both cases they are two consoants together but…
A blend is when two or more consonants are combined, and each one retains its sound, such as in "bl" in "blend" or "tr" in "train."
In contrast, a digraph creates a new sound different from the letters' individual sounds, like "sh" in "shoe." The s and h are working together to make a completely new sound.
Why Should Children Learn About Digraphs?
Understanding digraphs is fundamental for developing strong reading skills. We see them in SO many words, so knowing them helps children decode unfamiliar words more easily.
Without this knowledge, children might struggle with reading fluency, leading to frustration. And we do not want that!
What about CK and QU??
A lot of educators have mixed opinions and viewpoints about what CK and QU are classified as. Some teachers and programs teach them as digraphs and others do not. I personally don’t fret too much about it and focus on what these letters say, when they say it, and why.
CK: The letters C and K can make the /k/ sound at the end of a word after a short vowel sound, so not necessarily a NEW sound is created. I have found that teaching CK like a digraph works great for my students. I say, “C and K can sometimes work together to say their sound, /k/, like in duck.”
QU: I teach “qu” when introducing the sound for “q” for the first time and I don’t really teach it as a digraph. It’s technically more than one sound – /k/ /w/ (also mixed opinions on the truel sound that qu says). I teach QU when introducing the sound for “q” because Q is usually always next to a U in an English word.
Here is how I teach QU:
Q, never goes anywhere without his best buddy U, and together they make one sound. “Kwuh.”
You will almost never see an English word with a q without a u next to it.
Examples: quick, question, queen, quit
Q always needs a u, therefore u does not ACT like a vowel!
Click here for the QU posters I use
How to Explain Digraphs to Kids
Before you start teaching digraphs it is so important to teach WHAT they are!
Explain that a digraph is two letters working together to make a BRAND NEW SOUND! WOW!! You can have fun with this and say that some letters are buddies and when they play together they make a new sound!
Just make sure to actually use the word DIGRAPH so your child will get comfortable with that word.
When to Teach Digraphs
If your child has mastered individual sounds of consonants and short vowel sounds and has a firm grasp of reading CVC words they are ready to learn digraphs!
Note: Some programs will start to teach digraphs before all consonants and short vowel sounds are introduced. This is OK and if you are following a program that does it like this, no worries!
If you are not following a program, I would suggest waiting till all consonant sounds are mastered and they have a firm grasp of reading CVC words!
Tips for Teaching Digraphs and What Order to Teach Them in
Teach one digraph at a time! Digraphs need to be explicitly taught to kids one at a time. Teach them in this order: ch, sh, th, wh, ph
Use visuals: Show examples of words that contain digraphs and underline or highlight the digraph. Click here to get some free visuals
When writing: When writing words with digraphs have your child first make a line for each sound they hear in the word. Then they will put the letter/letters for that sound on the line. They will check it by blending the sounds together and reading the word! A digraph is ONE sound so both letters go on ONE line.
When Reading: Before you have your child read a decodable that contains digraphs have them preview the text and circle the words with digraphs! This helps to start t drawing your childs attention to digraphs.
Practice: Provide plenty of practice with digraphs. Make sure to always go back and review past sounds too! If our brain stops practicing something it might forget it!
How to Teach the Digraph “CH”
Explain it: When we see a C and an H together they work together to make a new sound called a digraph! They can say /ch/ like in chair!
Provide a Visual: I use a picture of a chair. Click here to get some free visuals
Great Decodable Words to practice (both writing and reading): Chad, chat, chop, chap, chip, chit, much
Practice: Play games using CH (scroll down for a ton of play-based activities). Here are some activities I use after I have taught CH to a student: Digraph CH Poster, Word Cards, and Activities
Fun Fact: CH actually has three different sounds! But we are only teaching /ch/ right now! It’s other sounds are /k/ like in school and /sh/ like in chef.
How to Teach the Digraph “TH”
The digraph TH is a bit different because it actually has two slightly different sounds! I teach them both separately. TH can make an unvoiced (does not use the vocal cords) and voiced consonant sounds (does use your vocal cords).
Here is how you figure out if it is voiced or unvoiced (works with any sound! And is really fun for kids): Place your hand on the front of your throat and say the word “this.” You should feel a slight vibration on your hand, this means it is a voiced consonant sound!
Now say the word, “bath.” Did you feel a small vibration or buzz? Nope! So that means it is an invoiced consonant sound.
When teaching TH to your child introduce the unvoiced sound first and then explain that it also has a slightly different sound (say some words with TH and have them see if they feel a vibration or not)!
If you have a child who is struggling OR is working on their speech sounds, I would highly recommend helping them understand the difference between voiced and unvoiced. However, for most kids, I find that I do not need to spend to much time on this. Please decide what is best for your child!
Explain it: When we see a T and an H together they work together to make a new sound called a digraph! They say /th/ like in thumb!
Provide a Visual: I use a picture of a thumb. Click here to get some free visuals
Great Decodable Words to practice (both writing and reading): this, then, that, them, thus, then, sloth, math, bath, path, moth, thin
Practice: Play games using TH (scroll down for a ton of play-based activities). And here are some activities I use after I have taught BOTH voiced and unvoiced TH sounds to a student: Digraph TH Poster, Word Cards, and Activities
How to teach the digraph “SH”
Explain it: When we see a S and an H together they work together to make a new sound called a digraph! They say “shhhhhhh” like in shoes!
Provide a Visual: I use a picture of a shoe. Click here to get some free visuals
Great Decodable Words to practice (both writing and reading): shot, ship, cash, lash, Josh, shin, bash, gash, dish, shut, mush, shop, shed, fish, rash
Practice: Play games using SH (scroll down for a ton of play-based activities). Here are some activities I use after I have taught SH to a student: Digraph SH Poster, Word Cards, and Activities
How to teach the digraph “WH”
A quick note about WH. In ancient times we used to pronounce WH a bit differently. It had a /hw/ sound. However, in most dialects now, we no longer use that pronunciation! But I still teach it as a H digraph, even though it is not making a completely new sound. (WH and W both make the /w/ sound).
Explain it: When we see a W and an H together they work together to make a new sound called a digraph! They can say /wh/ like in whale! You know another sound that says, /w/! What is it ? Yes, a W can also say /w/.
We see “wh” at the beginning of question words and sound words (ex: what, why, where, who, whiz, wham, whip)
Provide a Visual: I use a picture of a whale. Click here to get some free visuals
Great Decodable Words to practice (both writing and reading): whop, whip, which, when
Practice: Play games using WH (scroll down for a ton of play-based activities). Here are some activities I use after I have taught WH to a student: Digraph WH Poster, Word Cards, and Activities
How to teach the digraph “PH”
Ph is usually found in words that come from the ancient Greek language. Example: philosophy, sphere, graph, phonics
Explain it: When we see a P and an H together they work together to make a new sound called a digraph! They can say /f/ like in phone! You know another sound that says, /f/! What is it ? Yes, a f can also say /f/.
Did you know that PH is found in words that come from the ancient Greek language?!? Cool!
Provide a Visual: I use a picture of a phone. Click here to get some free visuals
Great Decodable Words to practice (both writing and reading): Phil, graph, Ralph
Practice: Play games using PH (scroll down for a ton of play-based activities).
10 Digraph Play-Based Activities to Practice Digraphs
Here are some fun, play-based ways to practice digraphs that are engaging for kids:
Digraph OR No Digraph?!?
Show your child a word (or say one aloud if you are on the go) and have them give you a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” if the word has a specific digraph. You could also have them choose what motion they want to do if they hear a specific digraph sound(jump, run in place, clap, etc…)
Digraph Drawing
This is a favorite with my students! Give a word and have your child spell that word on a piece of paper or white board. Then, they have to draw a quick picture that matches that word!
Digraph Memory
Write some words on some sticky notes or index cards and play memory with them!
Where Is The Digraph??
Look at a word OR say a word aloud and have your learner decide WHERE the digraph is. Is it at the beginning or end of the word??
Treasure Hunt
Create a treasure hunt where your child searches for objects around the house or yard that contain specific digraphs. For example, they could look for a "ch" in "chair," an "sh" in "shoe," or a "th" in "thumb."
Digraph Hopscotch
Draw a hopscotch board on the sidewalk or floor, but instead of numbers, write digraphs in each square. As your child hops through, they say the digraph out loud and then think of a word that contains it.
Digraph Bingo
Create a Bingo board with different digraphs in each square. Call out words, and your child has to find the corresponding digraph on their board. This game reinforces the connection between sounds and spelling and you can easily make your own bingo cards!
Digraph Playdough Fun
Use playdough to form letters and create digraphs. Once the digraph is formed, have your child think of a word that contains that digraph and then shape a small object out of playdough that represents the word.
Tic Tac Toe
Create a tic tac toe board and put simple words that contain digraphs on the open squares. You will play just like regular tic tac toe but you have to READ the word before putting your marker on that spot.
ZAP!!
Grab about 15-20 popsicle sticks and write some simple words that contain digraphs on them. Write ZAP! On about 4-5 of the sticks. Put all sticks in a fun container. Pull a stick, if they can read the word they get to keep it! If the player picks a ZAP! stick they have to put all of their sticks back in the cup! But they keep the ZAP! stick. When all the sticks are gone, the player with the most ZAP! Sticks win!
You Can Do This! Helping Your Child with Digraphs
Teaching digraphs can be so fun and such a rewarding experience for both you and your child! With the tips and activities provided, you can confidently help your child learn to read words with digraphs. Remember, the key is practice, patience, and plenty of encouragement!
Tools that Promote…
Tools I Love
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Tools I Love 🔧
The Early Learning Place contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you! But I do SO appreciate your support! (And I will only ever, suggest tools that I personally use and love!)
These magnetic letters are a great hands-on product for practicing both digraphs and beginning blends!
These wooden letters are perfect for practicing vowel and consonant digraphs! Consonants in red and vowels in blue!
Perfect for making your own sensory bin. Just add object that begin with different digraphs!
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