Beginning Sounds Worksheets (Free Printable Phonics Activities)

Learning to hear and recognize beginning sounds is one of the first steps in phonics instruction. These beginning sounds worksheets give young learners the opportunity to practice identifying the first sound they hear in a word using simple picture clues.

These printable worksheets work well for preschool, kindergarten, and early first grade students who are just beginning to connect letters with their sounds. Children look at each picture, say the word aloud, and determine which letter makes the beginning sound.

Use these pages for extra phonics practice in your homeschool, classroom, or literacy centers.

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Beginning readers need copious amounts of practice and reinforcement to master beginning sounds. Use these Match the Picture worksheets in your phonics activities this week. They are a just-right supplement, whether beginning sounds are new to your students or if they only need a bit of practice.

Use these easy print-and-go beginning sounds worksheets for a quick activity for your young readers. Make sure you don’t miss the freebie at the bottom of this post!

Browse through all of the phonics worksheets and activities at Mama’s Learning Corner! You’ll find color by sight word, color by beginning sound, learning letters activities, and much more.

Beginning Sounds Worksheets for Early Phonics Practice

This set of worksheets focuses on initial sound, or beginning sounds, of everyday objects. Each page contains a combination of 6 different initial sounds, including both consonants and vowels.

Your Preschool or Kindergarten child should determine the beginning sound of each word and then choose the other words in the row with the same initial sound.

Beginning Sounds Worksheets — At a Glance

Ages: Preschool, Kindergarten, early 1st
Pages: printable phonics worksheets
Skills: beginning sounds, phonics, letter-sound recognition
Prep: print-and-go
Use for: phonics lessons, extra phonics practice, literacy centers

If the initial sound is a vowel, note that I chose either the long or short sound of the vowel and that particular sound is used in the row. For example, I did not mix the short a and long a sounds in the same row for children to identify.

Ways to Use These Beginning Sounds Worksheets

Here are a few ideas to help you incorporate these worksheets into your learning time:

• Make sure your student can identify each of the objects on the page. I used very clear images, however, there is an answer key of images should there be any confusion. If your child is not familiar with a picture, take the time to explain and research if desired.
  
  For example, one of the pictures is a balance for the word ‘even’. If you do not have a balance, find one online and explain how it works.
  
  The images themselves lead to many conversations and rabbit holes, if you have the time and interest!
  

• If your child needs a break from the pencil, use manipulatives to mark the correct answer. Any manipulative you already have on hand will work to mark the same beginning sounds – bear counters, coins, dry beans, M&Ms.
• In that same line of thinking, use Do-A-Dot markers to dot the correct initial sounds. These never grow old and my children have used these for years!
• These are great practice for over the summer learning when school is not technically in session, but you need a few learning activities from which to pull.
• If you need to still have a school day but are short on time, use these beginning sounds worksheets to reinforce phonics concepts without teaching a brand new lesson. Every little bit of practice helps!
• How often should you use these worksheet pages? That is totally up to you!
  
  If your child needs consistent practice and is struggling with letter sounds, use one each day with your child, working on the page together.
  
  If your child only needs the occasional reinforcement, have him complete 1-3 each week until you determine mastery.

Download the Beginning Sounds Worksheets

Use the download button below to access the printable beginning sounds worksheets.

These pages are designed to be simple and easy to use. Just print the worksheets and your child can begin identifying beginning sounds using the picture clues.

If you’re looking for additional beginning sound practice, take a look at my full packet of Matching Beginning Sounds Worksheets, which includes many more phonics activities and practice pages.

➡️ All Access Pass members can download the entire 20-page packet on the Phonics and Reading Page in the Member Library.

Download the Beginning Sounds Worksheets Freebie Packet

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