What Are Digraphs?
A digraph is two letters that combine to make a single sound. Unlike blends (where you can hear both letters), digraphs create an entirely new sound.
Common Consonant Digraphs
sh โ as in ship, fish, shellch โ as in chip, much, chainth โ as in this, bath, thinkwh โ as in when, whale, whiteck โ as in duck, back, stickph โ as in phone, graph, photoWhy Digraphs Matter
Once children master individual letter sounds, digraphs are the next essential step. Without understanding digraphs, a child might try to sound out "ship" as "s-h-i-p" (four sounds) instead of "sh-i-p" (three sounds).
How to Teach Digraphs
Introduce one at a time โ Don't overwhelm. Start with "sh" and practise it for several days before adding "ch."Use visual cues โ In ReadAide, digraphs appear as a single unit with one dot underneath, reinforcing that they make one sound.Find them everywhere โ Go on a digraph hunt! Look for "sh" words on cereal boxes, road signs, and in storybooks.Sort activities โ Give your child word cards and have them sort words by their digraph.Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't rush through digraphs. Mastery takes time.Make sure your child can hear the difference between similar sounds (like "ch" and "sh").Practise both at the beginning and end of words.Ready to start your child's reading journey? ๐
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