CVC words are three-letter words that follow the pattern consonant, vowel, consonant, with a short vowel sound in the middle, such as cat, pen, pig, dog and sun.

At what age do children learn CVC words?

Many children start reading CVC words in kindergarten, around ages 5 and 6, after they know most of their letter sounds. Some are ready earlier and some later.

Yes, in most word lists. The x makes two sounds (/ks/), but it is written as one letter, so box and fox are normally included. Some teachers add them a little later.

How many CVC words should my child learn?

There is no set number. Instead of memorizing a list, teach the skill of sounding out and blending. Once your child can blend, they can read hundreds of CVC words.

What should I teach before CVC words?

Letter sounds, especially a few consonants and one short vowel. Beginning sound activities and rhyming games also help.

CVC Words List: Short A, E, I, O and U Words to Print

Quick answer: CVC words have three sounds: a consonant, a short vowel and a consonant, like cat, pen, pig, dog and sun. Below you will find more than 130 CVC words sorted by short vowel, short sentences to read, a teaching order and simple games.

CVC stands for consonant-vowel-consonant. Words like cat, hop and sun are the first words most children learn to read by sounding out each letter and blending the sounds together. Because every letter makes its most common sound, children can succeed quickly, and that success builds confidence.

A word counts as CVC when it has three sounds and a short vowel in the middle. The letters x, w and y are tricky. Box and fox are usually included even though x says two sounds (/ks/), but cow and toy are not CVC words, because the vowel sound changes. Words such as bell, hill and miss are not CVC either, because the double letter at the end belongs to a later stage.

CVC words with short a

CVC words with short e

CVC words with short i

CVC words with short o

CVC words with short u

Which order should I teach the vowels in?

Short a is the usual place to start, because it is a clear, open sound that is easy to hear. Many programs go on to i and o, then u and e, since e and i sound similar and can be confused. A common order is a, i, o, u, e. Another approach is simply to follow the vowels as your child meets them in a reading program. Teach one vowel at a time until blending feels easy, then mix two vowels together, and finally all five.

How to read a CVC word: tap, say, blend

Tap under each letter and say its sound: /c/ /a/ /t/.
Blend the sounds by sliding your finger from left to right: “caaat.”
Say it fast: “cat!”

If blending is hard, have your child say the first two sounds together (/ca/), then add the last sound. Be patient: blending is one of the biggest steps in learning to read.

Short sentences to read

Once your child can read single words, try short sentences made only from CVC words and a few common words such as the, a and is.

Short a: The cat sat on a mat. A fat rat ran past.
Short e: The hen is in the red pen. Ten pets get wet.
Short i: The pig did a big dig. A kid can sit and sip.
Short o: The fox is in the box. The dog got a hot pot.
Short u: The bug is on the rug. A pup sat in the sun.

Five easy games with CVC words

Build a word. Use magnetic letters or letter cards. Make cat, then swap the first letter to make hat, then mat.
Sound boxes. Draw three boxes. Your child says the word slowly and writes one sound in each box.
Word hunt. Hide word cards around the room. Your child finds one, reads it and acts it out (hop, nap, run).
Real or silly? Mix real words with made-up CVC words (zim, pab). Children decide which can be read and which are silly.
Picture match. Match a picture to its word. Try our CVC words worksheets for picture matching, missing letters, word families and sound boxes, with an answer key.

What comes after CVC words?

When CVC words feel easy, children move on to words with two consonants together at the start or end (frog, jump, stop), then words with letter pairs such as sh, ch and th. Before that, strengthen the sounds with the beginning sounds worksheets and spot the missing letter in a word with the missing letters worksheets. For kindergarten learners, see all of our kindergarten worksheets.

Free printables to go with this guide

Put this guide into practice with our free generators: CVC words worksheets, beginning sounds worksheets, missing letters worksheets, syllable counting worksheets.

Free workbooks to go with this guide

CVC Words Workbook – Read, build, trace and write short a, e, i, o and u words with pictures, sound boxes and sentences.

Keep reading

Letter Formation Order: Which Letters to Teach First – A simple letter formation order: group letters by how they are written and teach straight-line letters first. Capital and small letter groups, with a week plan.
How to Teach Syllables to Preschool and Kindergarten Children – How to teach syllables to young children: the clap and chin methods, a 4-step plan from names to long words, word lists for 1 to 4 syllables and games.
Handwriting Practice at Home: How Long and How Often – Handwriting practice at home: how long and how often for ages 3 to 6, a 10-minute routine, setup tips and the signs that it is time to stop.

CVC Words List: Short A, E, I, O and U