Can a preschooler do this?

Yes, with an adult saying the words alongside. Hearing the first sound comes well before reading, and writing one letter is within reach of a child who can trace letters.

Why only six pictures?

Six pictures with a big line each is one good sitting for a small hand. The kindergarten sheet has twelve.

Preschool beginning sounds

Preschool beginning sounds worksheets

Beginning sounds are the first listening skill on the way to reading: say a picture's name and hear the sound it starts with. On this sheet a three or four year old says the word, hears the first sound, and writes its letter on the line, six pictures to a page in big type.

Free printable PDF worksheet.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of pictures you'll get

Say the picture's name. Write the letter that makes its first sound.

Each print draws a fresh set of pictures. Under every picture the word is spelled out with one letter missing, and a box to write it in; the key gives the letter and the word.

Every print pulls a new set of pictures at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a preschool sheet

Preschool sheets draw from 92 pictures, 6 to a page. Pre-K to 1st grade print from the same 92 pictures. The teaching notes below are written for this grade. Kindergarten sheets print 12 to a page.

Some of the words:

hatnapyammanzipdogcothotmugcup

Picture sounds. Say the picture's name. Write the letter that makes its first sound. 6 pictures per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Name the picture together first, then say it slowly, stretching the front: c-c-cat. Ask what the mouth is doing at the start. If the child knows the letter, they write it; if not, you write it and they trace over it. Six is plenty for one sitting.

Watch for: Saying the letter name instead of the sound. A child who says 'see' for c is naming the letter; the sheet asks for the sound at the front of the word. Say the word, not the alphabet. Naming the picture with a different word. If the child says 'kitty' for the cat, the first sound changes. Agree the picture's name first, then listen for its sound.

Common questions about preschool beginning sounds

Can a preschooler do this?: Yes, with an adult saying the words alongside. Hearing the first sound comes well before reading, and writing one letter is within reach of a child who can trace letters.
Why only six pictures?: Six pictures with a big line each is one good sitting for a small hand. The kindergarten sheet has twelve.

Related worksheets

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Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated September 2026.

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