Learning Worksheets Phonics Letter T sound
Free printable PDF · beginning sounds · ages 3–5
Letter T Sound Worksheet: Beginning Sound /t/ (Free PDF)
Tiger, turtle, tomato and tent: /t/ is a quick tap of the tongue, short and crisp like a ticking clock.
Inside the letter T PDF
- Trace T and t beside a tiger.
- Circle the turtle, tomato, tent, taxi, teddy bear and tooth among 12 pictures.
- Join four pictures to their first letters.
- Answers and picture names on page 2.
Saying /t/ clearly
Put the tip of your tongue behind your top teeth, then flick it away with a little puff: /t/. There is no voice, so it is quieter than /d/.
Teaching /t/ step by step
Tick like a clock together: t-t-t-t. Tap a finger on the table for each tick. Then say words starting with /t/ and tap once at the start: t-tiger, t-tent. Compare /t/ with /d/ using a hand on the throat. Do the worksheet, tapping each picture that starts with /t/ before circling it.
Words that start with /t/
Tap, ten, tip, top, tub, toy, table, tummy.
Common mix-ups
In everyday speech, a t in the middle of a word can sound like /d/ or disappear (water can sound like “wadder” or “wa’er”). At the start of a word, /t/ is always clear, which is why this page uses beginning sounds.
Game: Tiptoe tiger
Your child tiptoes across the room like a tiger. Each time you say a t word, they take one tiger step. If you say a word that does not start with /t/, they freeze. See if they can reach you.
Around the house
Teeth, toys and teatime all start with /t/. Tick-tock along to the clock when you get ready to go out.
Say it fast
Ten tiny turtles tap on the table.
Writing the letter t
Say /t/ while forming the letter on our capital T and small t sheets. Older children can try joined-up cursive t.
What to try next
Ready for more? letter u and letter v are next in the alphabet. Later, t joins other letters in the th sound.
Letter T sound questions
How is /t/ different from /d/?
They use the same tongue tap. /t/ is just air, while /d/ uses the voice. A hand on the throat lets children feel the difference.
What about th words?
The letters t and h together make a new sound, as in thumb. See our th digraph page for that sound.
More answers in the phonics FAQ.
More Letter Sound Worksheets
Also try: CVC words · sight words · alphabet tracing