Learning the English language isn’t easy. You need to navigate various rules and patterns to master it. One of them includes digraphs. As an adult, you’re already familiar with combinations like ‘wh,’ ‘ch,’ ‘sh,’ and others. However, young learners need to be introduced to these foundational reading concepts from the start. It is believed that understanding digraphs is essential for building strong reading skills. What is a digraph? The combination of two letters that together make one sound is referred to as a digraph. The term ‘digraph’ has Greek etymology. It combines the word ‘di’ (meaning ‘two’ in English) and ‘graph’ (meaning ‘to write’ in English).
It’s going to be an extensive reading lesson on its own. To impart proper lessons, you should choose the best decodable readers for young readers. These can help you teach digraphs in a systematic and strategic manner.
Common types of digraphs
There are two main categories of digraphs: consonant and vowel. CH, SH, CK, and a few others are examples of consonant digraphs. Similarly, AI, EA, and EE belong to the category of vowel digraphs. Consonant digraphs use two consonants that represent one sound. Think of examples like ‘SH’ in “ship” and ‘CH’ in “chocolate.” Vowel digraphs contain two vowels that have the same sound. ‘EA’ in ‘beach’, ‘EE’ in ‘tree ‘, and ‘AI’ in ‘rain’ are some of the best examples in this regard. Having knowledge of both these digraphs is essential. But children should first learn consonant digraphs. These will be easier to grasp.
Do you wonder when to introduce these lessons in the classroom? Experts suggest that children must first learn consonants, short vowels, and CVC words. After this, they can be exposed to digraphs. In this context, it is essential to know that some literacy programs teach digraphs before consonants and vowels. If you don’t follow any specific format, it’s better to wait for children to learn consonant sounds and CVC words first.
Things to consider when teaching digraphs
It starts with choosing the correct decodable text for digraphs. A good book will focus on one digraph at a time to minimize the learning burden on children. You can trust it to follow a clear sequence, starting with ‘ch,’ ‘sh,’ and so on. There will also be visual clues for words that feature digraphs. To make your children’s learning and practice sessions more interesting, you can ask them to highlight every sound in the spoken words. You can also make them examine the texts and circle words featuring digraphs. It helps you draw their attention to this essential component. In the end, you must ensure your children practice their digraph lessons regularly to strengthen their understanding.
Children should be taught digraphs at an early stage of their reading development. After all, many words use two-letter combinations with the same sounds. Not exposing them to these words can be a mistake. It can hamper their reading development, leading to frustration. Since decodable books contain systematic lessons, you don’t have to worry about the teaching approach. Just follow the directions and see the improvement in your children’s reading skills.
