Phonics · lesson 4 of 24 · free

Beginning sounds s–z — Phonics for kids

The last letters of the alphabet: s, t, u, v, w, x, y and z. Very few words start with x, so for x we listen at the END of a word: box, fox, six.

▶ Watch how it works

Got it? Practise ↓

How the sounds work

Listen to the first sound — “say the word slowly — the very first sound tells you the letter (for x, listen to the end)”

  1. Say the word slowly and listen to the first sound: s… sun.
  2. Match it with a picture or a letter that starts the same way.
  3. For x, listen to the end of the word: fo-x, bo-x.

Use it for: Finishing the alphabet, reading the first letter of any word, and early spelling.

Worked example: Which picture starts like “sun”? → sock

  1. Say “sun” slowly. Its first sound is the sound of the letter “s”.
  2. “sock” starts with the same sound. Window and yarn start with other sounds.

Check: s… sun and s… sock — the same first sound ✓

▶ Watch it animated

✏️ Practice

Listen (🔊), look at the pictures, then tap the answer. Grown-ups: read the question together.

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🏁 Lesson 4 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Beginning Sounds Phonics Worksheets (s–z)

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