Why blending is the real “reading switch”
Blending is the skill that turns separate letter sounds into a readable word. Once a child can hear /s/ /a/ /t/ and press those sounds together, they can decode many simple words independently.
Parents often notice a big jump in confidence when blending clicks — a child who was naming letters starts reading short words and smiling. That’s why Week 2 focuses on short, repeated blending practice.
The biggest reason kids can’t blend (and how to fix it)
Most children can’t blend because they haven’t yet learned to hold each sound in their ear long enough to push them together. They either say letter names or rush through sounds.
Fix: slow the sounds, give a simple physical cue (tap or finger under each letter), then blend. Use the 2‑minute setup below so practice stays short and repeatable.
Your “Blending Club” setup at home (2 minutes, no fancy materials)
You only need three things: 1) 6 letter cards (SATPIN), 2) a small basket or place to put cards, and 3) enthusiasm. Keep the cards in a tray so your child recognises the routine.
The 2‑minute rule: do a quick warm-up, pull three cards, and blend. If it goes well, repeat once. If not, stop and try again tomorrow. Always end while it is still fun.
The Week 2 plan (7 days, 10–12 minutes/day)
Each day includes warm-up (2–3 min), focused blending (5–7 min), and games/review (2 min). Keep sessions consistent in time so the child anticipates the routine.
Day 1 — Review SATPIN + slow blends
Warm-up with sounds. Model a slow blend: /s/…/a/…/t/ then slide to “sat.” Use finger taps under each sound.
Day 2 — Continuous blending practice
Practice continuous blends where you do not pause between sounds: /s-a-t/ → sat. Support with sliding finger under the word.
Day 3 — Snap blends and short sentences
Introduce a “snap” blend after slow practice. Parent reads a short sentence aloud; child points to or echoes the word "sat".
Day 4 — Mix practice with little games
Use blend baskets and I-Spy games to practise blending without pressure. Keep it playful.
Day 5 — Quick timed wins (2-minute challenge)
Try a short 2‑minute challenge: how many blends can you do together? Celebrate 3 correct blends and stop.
Day 6 — Reading with pointers
Point to each word and blend aloud. Encourage your child to read the first word and echo the second.
Day 7 — Game marathon + review
Play multiple mini-games from the list below and review any tricky words. Celebrate progress with praise or a sticker.
Three blending methods (simple explanations)
Slow blend (stretch → snap)
Say each sound slowly with a pause: /s/…/a/…/t/. Then say the sounds faster to snap to “sat.” This gives the child time to hold each sound.
Continuous blend (smooth slide)
Say the sounds smoothly without pausing: /s-a-t/ and slide your finger under the made-up word. This mirrors fluent reading.
Snap blend (quick combine)
After practicing slow and continuous blends, encourage a quick snap: say the three sounds together and let the child say the final word. Use excited praise for small wins.
Mini-games that make blending fun
Use these short games in between practice bursts to keep interest high.
- Blend Basket — pull three letter cards and blend aloud.
- Sound Hop — place cards on floor; child hops to each sound and blends.
- Echo Read — you blend, child echoes then swaps roles.
- Mystery Word — blend and let child guess the object.
- Blend Race — who can blend three words correctly first (gentle competition).
- Finger Slide — slide finger under letters while sounding.
- Toy Read — hide a toy under a word and read to reveal it.
- Sticker Ladder — earn a sticker for each successful blend.
What words to practice (SATPIN CVC list + how to choose 5/day)
Use SATPIN CVC words: sat, sit, sip, sap, pat, pan, pin, pit, tap, tin, tan, nap, nip, sin.
Choose five words a day: three new + two review. Pick words that use sounds your child already knows and relate to familiar objects at home.
Troubleshooting
If your child guesses words
Ask them to show the sounds: “Can you tap each sound for me?” If guessing continues, slow down and return to slow blending.
If extra sounds appear (suh for s)
Model the pure sound without adding vowel-like endings. Practice with short bursts and tactile cues (finger tap per sound).
If the middle vowel is skipped
Use a small pause or a gentle hum for the vowel: /s/ … /a/ … /t/, then blend. Reinforce by stretching the vowel slightly.
If frustration shows up
Stop. Celebrate what went well and try again later with a favourite game. Keep sessions short and predictable.
When to move on (readiness checklist + Week 3 teaser)
Move on when your child can reliably blend 6–8 CVC words with minimal prompting and enjoys at least one short practice per day.
- Can blend 3 CVC words independently.
- Can hear and say individual sounds for each letter used.
- Shows curiosity about short books or words.
Week 3 introduces tricky words and high-frequency words while keeping blending practice alive. If you want guided lesson plans that follow this progression, Tiny Steps has structured lessons and short daily activities to help.