Teaching the 'WH' Digraph Sound: A Guide to Early English Phonics

Teaching the "Wh" Sound Made Easy

Teaching the "wh" digraph to kids is an important step in phonics, as it helps them recognize and pronounce common words that start with "wh" (e.g., whale, wheat, wheel, and whistle ).

Understanding the 'WH' Digraph

The"wh"digraph combines two letters to create a single sound, typically pronounced as a voiceless "w" sound.

I made these "wh" digraph worksheets for my students to help them practice words that start with "wh." They loved these activities because they got to work with familiar words and pictures, making learning more engaging.

The first worksheet is all about filling in the missing "wh" to complete words like wheel, whale, whiskers, whisk, wheat, and whistle. It’s a fun way for kids to recognize the sound in words they already know.

The second one is a tracing activity where they practice writing "wh" words. I always find that tracing helps reinforce spelling and handwriting at the same time. Some of my students really enjoy this part because they get to feel like "real writers" when they see the words forming on their own.

The last sheet is a simple word-picture match. This one works great as a review because the kids can see all the words with their pictures in one place. I sometimes use it for a quick oral reading exercise or a matching game in pairs.

Honestly, these worksheets have been a hit in my classroom. The kids start recognizing "wh" words in everyday life, and that’s when I know it’s working!

Simple and Effective Strategies  to Help Kids Learn the "wh" Sound

1. Say It & Hear It:

• Start by saying "wh" words out loud (whale, wheel, whisk).
• Ask kids to repeat after you.
• Make it fun by whispering, singing, or using silly voices!

2. Use Pictures:

• Show pictures of wh words and say them together.
• Play a game: “Can you find something that starts with ‘wh’ in this room?”

3. Trace & Write:

• Use tracing worksheets (like the ones I made) to help with spelling and handwriting.
• Let kids write wh words with crayons, markers, or even in sand or flour for a sensory activity!

4. Read & Spot:

• Read books or simple sentences with wh words.
• Let kids point out or circle the "wh" words they find.

5. Play Games:

• Word Matching: Match words to pictures.
• Missing Letters: Say "_eel," and let kids guess and add wh.
• Action Game: When you say "whistle," kids pretend to whistle, etc.

6. Everyday Practice:

• Use "wh" words in daily talk: “Where is your toy?” or “What do you want to eat?"
• Make learning part of playtime and conversations!

Learning the "wh" sound can be fun and easy with the right practice. The key is to keep things playful and encourage kids every step of the way.

Before You Go

Teaching the "wh" sound doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. With a mix of speaking, tracing, games, and daily practice, young learners can quickly pick up this digraph and use it with confidence.

Whether in the classroom or at home, creating small moments of fun and repetition can turn this tricky sound into an easy win for kids.