A digraph is two letters that make one sound. In ship, s and h work together to say /sh/.
Let's learn
- Write ship and underline sh.
- Count the sounds: /sh/ /i/ /p/. Three sounds, four letters.
- Compare with sip: /s/ /i/ /p/. The h changes everything.
- Remember: digraph letters stick together like best friends.
Watch out for
- Sounding out each letter: “s-h-i-p”. Teach digraphs as one unit.
Make it fit your reader
- Easier: Use a picture of a ship to remember sh.
- Harder: Count the sounds in shop, chat and this.
Practice activity
- Sound count: count the sounds and letters in ship, chop and thin.
- Best friend cards: write sh, ch and th on cards and hold them up when you hear them.
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.