Phonics: C-A-T
The classic first word: C says /k/, A says /æ/, T says /t/ — blend them into CAT with audio for every sound.
⏱️ Micro Plan — 4 short parts · about 15 min in total
- 1Meet the Letters4 min
- 2Letter Sounds4 min
- 3Blend & Build4 min
- 4Say, Write & Recall3 min
🎯 Learning objectives
After completing this lesson, the child should be able to:
- Say the sounds of C, A and T
- Blend three sounds into the word CAT
- Read and recall CAT with confidence
The phonics path has nine steps: Letter → Sound → Image → Repeat → Blend → Form → Read → Recall → Quiz. Let\'s walk it together!
🔤 The letters
Meet your three letters: C A T. Say their names: "see… ay… tee".
🔊 The sounds
Each letter has a sound: C → /k/ ("cuh") · A → /æ/ ("ah") · T → /t/ ("tuh"). Tap to listen:
🖼️ Example images
C is for cat 🐱 — A is for apple 🍎 — T is for tiger 🐯. Picture each one as you say its sound.
🔁 Sound repetition
Say each sound five times, like a drumbeat: cuh, cuh, cuh, cuh, cuh! Then: ah, ah, ah… Then: tuh, tuh, tuh…
🧩 Blend the sounds
Push the sounds closer and closer together: cuh… ah… tuh… then c-ah-tuh, then… snap!
🏗️ Form the word
The sounds snap into place: C-A-T. Point at each letter and say its sound one more time.
📖 Read the word
Say it fast and smooth, like a train gathering speed: CAT! 🐱 You just read your first word!
🧠 Recall
Cover the screen. What were the three sounds? What word did they make? Say it, then check.
🏆 Quiz
Prove it! Take the Letter Sounds Quiz and the Blending Quiz.
🎮 Interactive blender
Tap each sound, then blend them yourself: