How to Pronounce Letter Sounds Correctly (and Why It Matters)

When children learn to read, one of the most important building blocks is knowing the correct letter sounds. But here’s something many parents don’t realise: saying sounds like “nuh” for N or “puh” for P can actually make reading harder.

A Real Tutoring Example

Just last night, during a tutoring session with a Year 2 pupil, we were doing some decoding practice and he kept adding an “uh” sound to the end of each letter. So:

• S became “suh”

• N became “nuh”

• P became “puh”

We practised stripping the extra “uh” away, focusing on saying the pure sound instead. Almost instantly, his blending improved. Words that had felt like a struggle began to make sense.

This might sound like a small tweak, but it makes a huge difference.

Why Does Correct Pronunciation Matter?

When we add “uh” to the end of sounds, blending becomes confusing. Imagine trying to read the word “snap” if you’ve learned the sounds as:

• “suh” + “nuh” + “a” + “puh”

It doesn’t flow into snap — it comes out as “suh-nuh-a-puh”.

By teaching your child to pronounce clean, accurate sounds, you’re making blending smoother, spelling easier, and reading more confident.

How to Practise Letter Sounds at Home

Here are a few simple tips:

• 🎧 Listen carefully: You can find pronunciation guides in Reading Skills Workbooks, on my website or from trusted sites such as Oxford Owl.

• 👄 Model the sound: Say the sound slowly and clearly, without adding “uh”. For example, sss for S rather than suh.

• 🪞 Use a mirror: Let your child watch how your mouth moves. It helps them see the difference.

• 🎲 Play games: Use my Games Pack (phonics flashcards with 10 learning games) to practice the sounds that letters make.

• ⏱️ Keep it short: Practise for just 5-10 minutes at a time to avoid frustration.

Common Sounds Parents Mix Up

• S → say “sss”, not “suh”

• N → “nnn”, not “nuh”

• P → “p” (a quick puff of air), not “puh”

• T → “t” (a sharp tap sound), not “tuh”

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to fall into the habit of adding “uh” - after all, that’s often how we were taught ourselves! But if you make this small change now, you’ll set your child up for much smoother reading progress.

👉 If you’d like more support with phonics and accurate letter sound practice, you can explore my Phonics Flashcards & Games Pack or Reading Skills Workbooks — designed to help children (and parents!) master the basics with confidence.

If you have any questions, message me on the chat box or email me at info@pictureprogress.com, I'd love to help! 👋