A CVC word has a consonant, then a vowel, then a consonant: c-a-t, d-o-g, s-u-n.
They are the first words most children learn to read on their own.
Consonants and vowels
The vowels are a, e, i, o and u. All the other letters are consonants. In a CVC word, the vowel sits in the middle and usually makes its short sound.
Let's learn
- Write cat and point to each letter.
- Say: “c is a consonant, a is a vowel, t is a consonant.”
- Say each sound: /k/ /a/ /t/.
- Blend: slide your finger under the word and say it: cat.
Watch out for
- Thinking every three-letter word is CVC. The and you are not CVC words.
Make it fit your reader
- Easier: Use words with sounds you can stretch, like sam or man.
- Harder: Sort word cards into CVC and not-CVC piles.
Practice activity
- Letter labels: write five CVC words and mark each consonant with a C and the vowel with a V.
- Find it: look for CVC words on a page of a picture book.
Tip for grown-ups: Keep practice short and cheerful: 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for young readers. Praise effort, let your child point to the words, and stop while it is still fun.