SKU:Word Fam 1
Phonics Word Families with 50 Consonant Sounds
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34 word families and 50 consonant sounds, for building and reading first words
Phonics Word Families helps children learn to read by spotting patterns. Once a child can read _am, they can read a whole family of words just by changing the first sound: j + am = jam, sl + am = slam. The set has two decks: 34 jumbo word-family cards and 50 pocket-sized consonant cards, so children can build words themselves, then read them.
At a glance
- 34 jumbo word-family cards, 14.5 × 10 cm, double-sided
- Front: the word family ending, such as _am
- Back: two picture words and a list of words in that family to read
- 50 pocket-sized consonant cards, 6 × 9 cm: single sounds, clusters and digraphs
- Consonant cards colour-coded from easy to difficult
- Four ways to use, from building words to listening for sounds
- Sturdy glossy laminated card with rounded corners
- Ages 4+
- Designed by speech and language professionals
Why word families help children read
Sounding out every letter is slow. Word families let children recognise a chunk they already know and only work out the first sound. That makes reading faster, builds confidence, and helps with spelling too, because children start to see that words that sound alike are often spelled alike.
Four ways to use the set
- Build words: put a consonant card in front of a word-family card and read the word you've made.
- Read the word lists: turn the family card over and read the words in that family.
- Listen for sounds: "Which sound do you hear at the beginning of dam?" Your child finds the consonant card.
- Real or silly? Make words with the cards and decide whether each one is a real word or a silly one.
Start with single consonants (the easiest colour), then move on to clusters such as sl and spl and digraphs such as ch and sh.
Who it's for
- Children starting to read who know most letter sounds
- Children who sound out every letter and find reading slow
- Children who need extra phonics practice at home or school
- Children with speech, language or literacy difficulties, including children with autism
- Children learning to read in English as an additional language
- Parents, teachers, tutors and speech and language therapists
Where it fits
- Use alongside: Action Words Level 1, first action words
- Use alongside: Everyday Objects Level 1, first words for everyday things
Who made it
Brainy Bug Resources decks are designed by speech and language professionals with extensive clinical experience in mainstream schools, special schools and community clinics. Each deck follows how children's language actually develops, from single words to two-word phrases, sentences and reasoning.
Frequently asked questions
What age is it for?
4 years and up, or whenever your child knows most letter sounds.
What's in the box?
Two decks: 34 jumbo word-family cards and 50 pocket-sized consonant cards.
What's on the back of the word-family cards?
Two picture words and a list of words in that family for reading practice.
What are clusters and digraphs?
Clusters are two or three consonants blended together, such as sl or spl. Digraphs are two letters that make one sound, such as sh or ch.
Does it have audio?
No. It's designed for an adult and child to use together.
- Who We Are
- What Makes Us Unique
Brainy Bug Resources is built by speech and language therapists with extensive clinical experience in mainstream schools, special schools and community clinics. Because language lies at the heart of all learning, our range goes beyond first words, covering vocabulary, grammar, reasoning, emotions, storytelling, phonics and more. Every resource follows the order in which children's language develops.
- Built in developmental order. Each deck has a clear place in a child's language journey, so you always know the next step.
- Audio in up to 9 languages. Hear every word and sentence through the Chatterbugs app, slow it down, or record your own voice as the model.
- Designed to get children talking. Picture-only sides, a monkey character and contrast sets give children a reason to find the words themselves rather than copy them.
- Space for your home language. Writing lines on the back let parents add words in the language they speak at home.
- Made for home, classroom and therapy. The same cards work for a parent at the dinner table and a therapist in a session.