Sound Substitution Reading and Writing Worksheet for 1st Grade

This worksheet practices sound substitution, changing the middle sound of each word to make a new word, like bull to bell and horse to house.

At age 6, this matters because reading and spelling often change when just one sound changes. When kids memorize words instead of listening for sounds, it can be frustrating, and parents often notice their child loses focus fast during longer work time.

Try it with one row at a time. Read the first word together, say the middle sound out loud, then ask your child to swap only that middle sound while keeping the first and last sounds the same, blending the new word aloud before moving to the next line.

This page is useful because it keeps every problem on the exact same move, one sound change at a time. That makes it different from a generic printable, and it helps parents and teachers spot progress quickly during a 5 minute practice moment.