Learning Worksheets Phonics Letter V sound
Free printable PDF · beginning sounds · ages 3–5
Letter V Sound Worksheet: Beginning Sound /v/ (Free PDF)
Van, violin, volcano and vest: /v/ is a buzzy sound that tickles the lip, the voiced partner of /f/.
What’s on the letter V worksheet
- Trace: a big dotted V and v, then a row of Vv pairs, next to the key picture (van).
- Circle: 12 pictures to say aloud. 5 of them start with /v/: violin, volcano, vest, volleyball and vase.
- Match: draw a line from 4 pictures to their first sounds.
- Page 2: the answer key, with the name of every picture and tips for grown-ups.
How to say the /v/ sound
Rest your top teeth on your bottom lip, just like /f/, then turn your voice on: /vvv/. Your lip should tickle and buzz.
How to teach the letter v sound
Put a finger lightly on your lip and say /fff/ and then /vvv/. The /v/ tickles! Then drive toy vans along the floor going “vvvroom”. Say each picture word with a long buzzy start and let your child drive their van to the picture that starts with /v/.
More /v/ words to say together
Vet, van, vest, vase, visit, velvet, vegetable, village.
Watch out for
Some children say /b/ or /f/ for /v/, and in some languages v and b sound almost the same. A finger on the lip helps children feel the buzz of /v/.
Game: Volcano blast
Build a pretend volcano from cushions. Each time your child hears a word starting with /v/, the volcano erupts and they throw a soft toy or scarf in the air.
Everyday practice
Vegetables at dinner and a visit to the vet are good times to buzz a /v/. Very is a word you probably say a lot too.
Tongue twister
Vera’s violet van visits the volcano.
Trace and write the letter v
Practise writing the letter too: uppercase V tracing, lowercase v tracing and cursive v.
Practise next
Next, try letter w and letter x. Once most letter sounds are secure, blend them into CVC words.
Letter V sound questions
How is /v/ different from /f/?
They use the same mouth position. /f/ is just air, while /v/ uses the voice and buzzes. Children can feel it with a finger on their lip.
Why are there fewer v words?
Fewer common words start with v. Five clear pictures give children enough practice.
More answers in the phonics FAQ.
More Letter Sound Worksheets
Also try: CVC words · sight words · alphabet tracing