Free Digraphs Worksheets — Printable PDF
Free printable digraph worksheets — sh, ch, th, wh, ph and vowel digraphs. For Kindergarten to Grade 2 phonics practice.
Digraphs are the first curveball in phonics — two letters, one sound, nothing the child can deduce from the individual letters alone. 'sh' isn't 's' plus 'h', it's a brand new sound, and until the child has memorised it they'll keep trying to blend it phonetically and failing.
The worksheets on this page cover the full set in the order most schemes teach them. Consonant digraphs come first: sh, ch, th (unvoiced), th (voiced), wh, ph, ck, ng. Then vowel digraphs: ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, ow, oi, oy. Each sheet introduces one digraph with picture prompts, then gives reading and writing practice, then mixes it into words the child already knows.
The test for digraph fluency is whether a child can read 'ship' and 'chop' without pausing. When they can, move on. When they can't, do another five-minute session on that specific digraph. Most kids master the full consonant set in six to eight weeks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's a digraph?+
Two letters that together make a single sound. 'sh' in 'ship', 'ch' in 'chop', 'ai' in 'rain'. They're one of the first departures from pure letter-by-letter phonics.
Which digraphs should be taught first?+
The consonant digraphs — sh, ch, th, wh, ph — are usually taught before vowel digraphs because they appear in more common words and are easier to hear.
What age are digraphs taught at?+
Most curricula introduce consonant digraphs at the end of Reception or early Year 1 (age 5 to 6). Vowel digraphs come slightly later, usually mid to late Year 1.
Are trigraphs on these sheets?+
The most common ones, yes — igh, air, ear, ure. They follow the same pattern as digraphs, just with three letters making one sound.