Teaching Letter Sounds: What the Science of Reading Says
Heard the terms “stop sounds” and “continuous sounds” and wondering what the big deal is? You’re not alone — and we’re here to help!
Teaching students accurate letter sounds from the start is essential. Why? Because after learning letter sounds, children quickly move on to blending, reading, and writing words. If they’ve learned sounds incorrectly, that foundation becomes shaky.
Let’s break it down:
🔁 Continuous sounds can be stretched out without distortion (like /m/ or /s/). These are easiest for young learners and support blending, which is why they’re usually taught first. Continuous sounds include: a, e, f, i, l, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, y, and z
🛑 Stop sounds are quick, clipped, and harder to blend if not taught carefully (like /b/ or /d/). These require explicit instruction and gradual introduction. Stop sounds include: b, c, d, g, h, j, k, p, q, t and x
🚫 Avoid the schwa! Adding an “uh” sound (e.g., teaching /r/ as “ruh”) can confuse early readers and lead to mispronunciations during decoding.
🔍 Want resources that support correct sound instruction from day one? Explore our library of digital videos and printable worksheets built for structured literacy success.
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