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Tricky Words Flashcards Set 1: Free Printable Card Set for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Tricky Words Flashcards Set 1 is a free printable card set for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children cut out the cards and read common early words such as the, to, I, no, go, into, he, she, we, me, be and was. It needs only paper and scissors, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, 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 cut out the cards and read each word aloud as a grown up shows it. The words are the, to, I, no, go, into, he, she, we, me, be and was. These are common words that turn up in many early books. Children look at the card, say the word and start to know it by sight, instead of sounding out every letter. The cards can be shuffled, sorted, hidden and played with, so the same words come round again and again.
- the
- to
- I
- no
- go
- into
- he
- she
- we
- me
- be
- was
How to build confidence with the cards
Show one card at a time
Hold up a single card and give your child a moment to look. Say nothing at first. If they know it, praise them. If not, say the word clearly and let them say it back.
Keep the pile small
Start with a few cards that your child is close to knowing. Add a new card only when they are happy with the others. A small pile feels like a win.
Mix the order
Shuffle the cards each time. Children can learn a word because of where it sits in a pile. Shuffling makes sure they are reading the word itself.
Find the words in real books
After a few rounds, look for the words in a picture book. Seeing a card word in a story shows children why it matters.
What are tricky words?
Tricky words are common words that children cannot easily read by sounding out every letter. In early phonics, children learn to match letters to sounds and blend them to read. Some very common words do not fit that pattern yet, or use spellings children have not met. So children learn to recognise them quickly, often with a little help from the sounds they do know.
These words matter because they appear in almost every sentence a child reads. Knowing them well means children spend less effort on the small words and more on the meaning of the story. Short, friendly practice with cards works well at this age. A few words, a few times, is better than a long session.
Skills and curriculum link
- Reading common words
- Early word recognition
- Visual memory
- Listening and speaking
- Using scissors
- Matching and sorting
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Foundation Stage | Literacy | Word Reading | Reception |
What children will be able to do
- I can look at a tricky word and say it.
- I can spot tricky words in a book.
- I can read a tricky word without sounding it out letter by letter.
Ideas to help your child with the cards
- Say it, then lookSay the word clearly, then let your child look at the card as they say it back. Hearing and seeing the word together helps it stick.
- Point to the wordRun a finger under the card word as you read. Children learn that the marks on the card are the word they just said.
- Use the word in speechSay the word in a short, natural sentence. Hearing it used helps children link the card to words they already know.
- Notice the shapeTalk about how long or short the word looks and which letter it begins with. Small clues help children tell similar cards apart.
Key words
- Tricky wordA common word that is hard to sound out fully, so children learn to know it by sight.
- CardA small piece of paper or card with one word on it.
- Sound outSay each sound in a word, then blend the sounds together.
- LetterA mark we use to write a sound, such as a, b or c.
- Capital letterThe big form of a letter. The word I is always written with one.
- SentenceA group of words that tells us something. It starts with a capital letter.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
- Cut out the cards. A grown up can help with the cutting if needed.
- Show one card at a time and ask your child to read it. Say the word for them if they are not sure, then let them say it back.
- Look at page 2 together for ideas to make it easier or harder, then play a short game with the cards.
- Come back to the cards on another day. Repeating familiar words builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with three cards. Show each one, say the word and let your child say it back. Add one new card each time they know the others. Keep it short and cheerful. Stop while your child still wants more.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to say a short sentence using each word. Then try a longer one. Children who are ready can look for the same words in a favourite book and point to them when they find them.
Make it a game
Play snap with two sets of cards. Turn cards over one at a time and shout snap when two match. Or hide the cards around the room and read each one as it is found.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child tries to sound out every letter, and the word comes out in pieces.
Try thisSay the word clearly, let them repeat it, then look at it together. Do not insist on sounding it out. Come back to it often in short rounds.
Watch forA child mixes up words that look alike, such as he, me, we and be.
Try thisPlace two similar cards side by side. Talk about the first letter or letters and what is different. Practise just those two cards for a few rounds.
Watch forA child guesses from the first letter and says a different word.
Try thisCover the card and uncover it slowly from left to right. Ask them to look at the whole word before saying it, then check together.
Talk about it
- Which word did you find easiest, and why?
- Which word do you want to practise again?
- Can you say a sentence with this word in it?
- Where have you seen this word in a book?
- How did you remember the word that was hard to read?
- Can you find a card that looks a bit like another one?
Take it off the page
Word hunt
Hide the cards around a room. Your child finds each one and reads it aloud before putting it in a pile.
Book spotting
Choose a picture book. Look for the card words on the pages and point to them. Say the word each time you find it.
Chalk words
Write a card word large in chalk outside or on paper. Your child traces over it with a finger as they say the word.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Keep sessions short and relaxed. Praise effort as well as correct reading. If they get stuck, say the word and move on without fuss.
Teachers
Use the cards as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. They need no preparation beyond printing and cutting. Page 2 offers support and stretch ideas for mixed groups in Reception.
Home educators
Add the cards to your wider English plan alongside stories, rhymes and everyday talk. They are free to print again for brothers and sisters, or to revisit words a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning to read
Before this, children usually enjoy stories, rhymes and sharing books, and begin to learn letters and their sounds. They listen carefully to words and start to notice that print carries meaning. Those early habits make card work feel familiar.
After this, children build up a bank of words they know by sight, alongside blending sounds to read new words. They move on to reading short sentences and simple books with more confidence. This sits within Word Reading in Literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Which of these words did you find easiest, and why?
- Can you show me where you have seen this word in a book?
- How did you remember the word that was hard to read?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Tricky Words Flashcards Set 1 for?
It is written for Reception, which is ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children may enjoy a few cards with a grown up. Older children who need extra practice can use it too.
- What will children practise?
They practise recognising and reading common early words that cannot be sounded out easily. Along the way they build memory, listening and speaking skills, and learn to read words quickly by sight.
- How do I use the cards?
Cut out the cards and show one at a time. Ask your child to read it. If they are not sure, say the word and let them repeat it. Shuffle the cards and try again another day.
- What if it feels too hard?
Start with three cards and add one new card each time your child knows the others. Keep each go short. Praise their effort, and come back to the harder words another day.
- Is it free to use at home and in school?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Short, cheerful bursts work best at this age, and you can stop whenever your child has had enough. Page 2 has ideas to make it easier or to stretch confident readers.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. It is a screen free activity that needs only paper and scissors, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.