Wh Digraph Worksheet: The wh Sound (Free Printable PDF)

What’s in the PDF

• Page 1: trace wh and the words whale, what and when; circle the words that start with wh in a word grid; then write wh or w to finish six picture words.
• Page 2: finish five questions with what, where, who, when and why; read three sentences and circle the wh words; then write a wh word for three pictures.
• Page 3: an answer key with every picture name.

Read the instructions aloud for children who are still learning to read. Say each picture name together first.

What is the wh digraph?

In most accents today, wh sounds just like /w/, so whale and wail sound the same. In some accents there is a little extra puff of air. Either way, the key thing for children is that wh is a spelling to recognise, especially in the question words what, when, where, which, why and who.

How to say the wh sound

Round your lips as for /w/ and blow a little air as you open them. If your accent does not use the puff, simply say /w/. Tell your child that wh is a w with a quiet h hiding behind it.

Examples

• Question words: what, when, where, which, why, who
• Other wh words: whale, wheel, wheat, white, whip, whisper
• In sentences: When can we see the whale? Which hat is white?

How to teach it

Because wh usually sounds like w, focus on reading and spelling rather than listening alone. Write the question words on cards and play a question game: pick a card and ask a question that starts with that word. On the worksheet, children circle wh words in a word grid, choose wh or w to finish picture words, and complete questions. Notice that who is unusual: the w is silent and the wh says /h/.

Common mix-ups

Children often write w for wh words, such as “wen” for when. That is a sensible spelling, as it matches the sound. Praise the try, then show the wh spelling. Question words are worth practising until they are automatic.

Game: Question detective

Hide a toy somewhere in the room. Your child asks questions to find it, using a different wh word card each time: Where is it? What colour is it? Which room is it in? Is it near the window?

Questions to ask

• Which question word asks about a place?
• Which one asks about a time?
• Can you hear the h in whale, or does it sound like w?

Practise next

Try th digraph, sh digraph, ck digraph. Compare it with the letter w sound. Reading CVC words confidently first? See our CVC word worksheets.