Focused phonics guideConsonant patterns

How should children read ch without sounding c and h separately?

Quick answer

In early phonics, ch is commonly taught as one grapheme representing /ch/ in words such as chat, chip and much. Less common pronunciations can be introduced later.

Pattern to notice

CH digraph

ch

Where this fits in the phonics journey

Pattern decoding

This concept builds beyond basic CVC reading by teaching a reusable spelling or sound pattern. The prerequisite and next-step links on this page show the surrounding learning sequence.

What the child should be able to do

Recognise ch as one grapheme and decode common /ch/ words without sounding c and h separately.

When this pattern does not apply

Do not assume ch always represents /ch/. Words such as chemist and chef belong to later alternative-pronunciation sets.

Reading use

Blend ch as one sound unit in words such as chat, chip, chop, much and rich.

Spelling use

Use ch as a common spelling for /ch/, while learning later when tch is the more likely ending.

Tiny Steps curriculum connection

Direct lesson alignment

  • Early PhonicsLesson 13: Digraph CH
  • Advanced PhonicsLesson 5: Digraphs CH and TCH

How to teach this pattern

  • Begin with the frequent early correspondence and already taught vowels.
  • Later contrast alternative pronunciations as vocabulary expands.

Common confusions to watch for

  • Saying separate c and h sounds instead of recognising the digraph.
  • Introducing /k/ in chemist or /sh/ in chef before the main pattern is secure.

Simple practice ideas

  • Highlight ch as one grapheme before blending.
  • Sort decoded words with ch at the beginning and end.

Learning sequence

Explore related phonics patterns

More from consonant patterns

These links are selected from the published Tiny Steps phonics graph, prioritising nearby patterns in the same family before adjacent curriculum concepts.

Browse all phonics resources →
KN and the silent KIn familiar words beginning with kn, the spelling represents /n/: knot sounds like not. Children can recognise the written pair while attending to the single initial sound.NG digraphN and g frequently work together as the grapheme ng, representing /ng/ in words such as sing, ring and long.SH digraphThe letters s and h frequently work together as the digraph sh, representing /sh/ in words such as ship, shop and fish.TH: voiced and voicelessTH commonly represents two related sounds: voiceless /th/ as in thin and voiced /th/ as in this. Children benefit from hearing and feeling the contrast.

Related Tiny Steps resources

Keep the pattern inside the bigger reading pathway

Back to Phonics & Reading →
Read the related guide/blog/digraphs-and-tricky-wordsRead the related guide/blog/phonics-rules-for-beginnersUse focused practice/free-word-building-games-for-kids

Your next learning step

Continue with the learning path that matches this need

If this is the same need you see in your child, the relevant programme is the most useful next step.

Explore the Tiny Steps phonics programme