Short vowel middle sounds — Phonics for kids

How the sounds work

Find the middle sound — “say the word slowly in three parts — the middle sound is the vowel”

1. Say the word in three parts: p – i – g.
2. The middle sound is the vowel: a (cat), e (hen), i (pig), o (dog), u (sun).
3. Try each vowel in the gap: only one makes the word in the picture.

Use it for: Reading and spelling three-letter words, and hearing the difference between pin, pen and pan.

Worked example: 🐷 p _ g — which letter is missing? → i

✏️ Practice

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

🏁 Lesson 5 test

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

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🔡 Vowel Voyager badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 7 lessons of Part 1 · Letter sounds. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Short Vowel Phonics Worksheets

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)