Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Phonics Activity
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Phonics Activity is a free printable matching worksheet for children who are learning letters and the sounds they make. Children draw a line from each letter to the object that begins with the same letter. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children look at the letters and the objects on the sheet. Their job is to draw a line from each letter to the object whose name begins with that letter. To do this, they say the name of each object aloud, listen for the first sound, and think about which letter makes that sound. The main task is careful listening, looking and drawing lines with a pencil.
Ways to get the most from this sheet
Say it out loud
Encourage your child to say each object's name slowly and clearly. Hearing the first sound is much easier when the word is spoken, not just looked at.
Sound first, then letter
Ask, "What sound can you hear at the start?" Then ask, "Which letter makes that sound?" This keeps the focus on phonics, not on guessing from the picture.
Draw with care
Use a pencil and a ruler if your child likes one. Straight, careful lines make it easier to see which letter joins which object, and they give pencil control a little practice.
Check by saying
When a line is drawn, ask your child to say the letter sound and the object name together. If they do not match, they can rub out the line and try again.
Why match letters to beginning sounds?
In England, phonics is taught as the main way into reading in Reception and Key Stage 1. Children learn that letters stand for sounds, then use those sounds to read and spell words. In the National Curriculum for England, this sits within the word reading strand of English. Matching letters to the sounds at the start of words is one of the first steps in that process.
The first sound in a word is usually the easiest one to hear, so it is a good place to start. Children have to focus on the sound of the word, not on what the object looks like or what colour it is. It also helps to remember that a letter's name and its sound can be different. In phonics, the sound is what counts.
Skills and curriculum link
- Listening for beginning sounds
- Letter and sound knowledge
- Matching
- Pencil control
- Building vocabulary
- Careful looking
Helping your child with phonics
- Use sounds, not namesSay the sound a letter makes, not just its name. Phonics works by linking each letter to its sound, so this habit helps reading later.
- Keep sounds short and cleanTry not to add an extra "uh" sound at the end of a letter sound. Short, crisp sounds make it easier to blend them into words.
- Stretch the wordSay an object's name slowly and stretch out the start of it. This gives your child more time to hear the first sound.
- Little and oftenA few minutes of phonics with a happy tone does more good than a long session. Stop while your child still feels confident.
Key words
- LetterA written symbol that stands for a sound. Letters are put together to make words.
- SoundWhat you hear when you say a letter or part of a word.
- PhonicsA way of learning to read by linking letters to the sounds they make.
- Beginning soundThe first sound you hear when you say a word.
- ObjectA thing you can see and name, such as something in a picture.
- MatchTo join two things that belong together.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
- Read the instructions aloud together. Explain that each line goes from a letter to an object that begins with the same letter.
- Ask your child to say the name of an object slowly, then listen for the very first sound.
- Let your child choose the letter that makes that sound and draw a line to join them. Praise careful listening, not only quick answers.
- When the sheet is finished, look at each line together and say the letter sound and object name out loud. Rub out and try again if something does not fit.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Do one object together. Say its name slowly and stretch out the first sound. Then say a letter sound and ask, "Is that the same?" Let your child hear the difference. Work on a few objects at a time, and come back to the rest later.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to think of two more words that start with the sound of each letter on the sheet. They can say them aloud, draw them or ask you to write them down. Then try to find a word that ends with that sound.
Make it a game
Play a quick sound hunt. Say a letter sound and ask your child to find something in the room that begins with it. Take turns, so your child can set the challenge for you too. Keep it fast and light.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child matches by what an object looks like or its colour, not by its first sound.
Try thisCover the picture or ask your child to close their eyes. Say the word slowly and ask what sound they hear first.
Watch forA child says the letter name when asked for the sound.
Try thisSay, "That is the name. What sound does it make in a word?" Practise a few letter sounds aloud before trying the sheet again.
Watch forA child listens to the end or middle of a word, not the beginning.
Try thisSay the word again and tap the start of it. Ask, "What is the very first sound you hear?" Say it slowly, then say it again.
Talk about it
- What sound can you hear at the start of this word?
- Can you think of another word that begins with the same sound?
- How did you decide which letter to join to this object?
- Which sounds do you find easy to hear, and which are trickier?
- Can you say that word slowly, like a stretchy elastic band?
- Where else can you see this letter, such as on signs, books or packets?
Take it off the page
Sound treasure basket
Put a handful of small safe household objects in a bag. Pull one out, say its name slowly and say its first sound. Then find the letter that matches.
Letter hunt walk
On a walk or around the house, look for a chosen letter on signs, labels and books. Say its sound each time you spot it.
Playdough letters
Roll playdough into letter shapes. Say the sound of each letter as you make it, then place a small object beside it that starts with that sound.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first match, then let them lead. Short, relaxed sessions work best. If they get stuck, say the object's name slowly together and listen for the first sound.
Teachers
Use it as a quick independent activity, a small group task or a settling activity after a phonics lesson. It also works as an informal check of how well children can link letters to beginning sounds. Page 2 has notes, help and a stretch idea. It is also useful as an independent matching task during continuous provision.
Home educators
Phonics is a good fit for short, regular practice at home. Do the sheet in one calm sitting, then follow it with a sound hunt around the house. Praise effort and careful listening, and return to the sheet another day to build confidence.
Where this fits in learning to read
Before a sheet like this, children usually enjoy rhymes, songs and sound games. They learn to listen carefully to the sounds around them and in spoken words. They also begin to recognise some letters and say the sounds that go with them.
After this, children move on to blending sounds to read short words and breaking words into sounds to spell them. Listening for the first sound is the start. Later they listen for the sounds in the middle and at the end of words too.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What is this Phonics Activity sheet?
It is a free printable matching worksheet. Children draw lines from letters to objects that begin with the same letter. It gives practice in listening for beginning sounds and linking them to letters, which is a key early reading skill.
- What age is it suitable for?
It suits children who are starting to learn letters and sounds, which is typically in Reception and early Year 1. Older children who need extra support with letter sounds may also find it useful. You know your child best, so adjust the support you give.
- What do children need?
Children need a pencil, and a ruler if they like drawing straight lines. An adult nearby to talk through the sounds helps, but is not essential once the idea is clear. Print page 1 for your child and keep page 2 for yourself.
- Does my child need to write anything?
No. The main task is drawing lines to match letters and objects. This keeps the focus on listening for sounds and links between letters and words, which makes it a gentle activity for children who are still building their pencil control.
- Should I teach letter names or letter sounds?
In phonics, the sound a letter makes is what children use to read and spell, so focus on sounds first. Letter names can be learned alongside. If your child says a letter name, gently ask what sound it makes in a word.
- What if my child matches by the picture, not the sound?
This is common. Ask your child to say the object's name slowly and listen to the very first sound. Cover the picture if it helps. Then ask which letter makes that sound. Repeat with a few examples.
- How can I use this in the classroom?
Use it as an independent task, a small group activity or a quick check of beginning sounds after a phonics lesson. Children can then compare lines with a partner and explain their choices aloud, which builds speaking and listening skills too.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.