★Short Vowel Sounds
Kindergarten Reading Worksheet
NameDate
Say the name of each picture. Circle the vowel you hear in the middle.
- u
- o
- i
- i
- a
- e
- a
- o
- e
- a
- i
- e
- a
- e
- i
- u
- e
- a
- u
- o
- a
- i
- o
- u
PencilGoKindergarten · Reading · Phonics
Kindergarten Short Vowel Sounds worksheets
6 printable versionsOn LevelAbout 4 minutes eachFree · no account
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About this worksheet
The five short vowels are the loudest part of nearly every word a beginning reader tries to sound out, and the hardest to tell apart. A child may hear the first and last sounds of cat clearly and still not know whether the middle is a, e or i. On this page every item is the same job: a picture with nothing printed under it, and three vowel letters, and the child says the picture's name slowly and circles the vowel in the middle.
All five vowels turn up on every sheet, in a different order each version, so the child has to listen each time. At the hardest level the wrong vowels sound close to the right one, such as e and i. Stretch the middle of the word and hold it: c-aaa-t. Put a hand under the chin: the mouth opens differently for each vowel, and a child can feel the difference.
What your child will learn
- Hear the vowel in the middle of a word
- Match a short vowel sound to its letter
- Tell a, e, i, o and u apart
- Say a word slowly to hear each sound
Common Core standard: RF.K.3.B
Worked example
The picture shows a pig. Say it slowly: p-i-g. The sound in the middle is short i, so circle i.
Common mistake
Naming the vowel letter from memory without stretching the spoken word to hear its middle sound.
Helpful hint
Stretch the word into three sounds and listen to the sound in the middle.
Questions parents ask
What is the most common mistake with short vowel sounds?
Naming the vowel letter from memory without stretching the spoken word to hear its middle sound.
How can I help my child with short vowel sounds?
Stretch the word into three sounds and listen to the sound in the middle.
Are these kindergarten reading worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.
Similar: CVC Picture Vowels · Word Families -at, -an, -ap, -ag
More kindergarten phonics
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