Sound Substitution Word Change Worksheet

Say a short word, change one sound, and listen to the new word. This first-sound substitution worksheet pairs written starting words with replacement-letter cues and spaces for new words. The five changes are cat to hat, pen to hen, dog to log, pig to fig, sun to fun. Use the page with an adult who can model the sounds and help with writing, keeping each spoken change clear before moving to the next row.

Begin with cat. Read it aloud, then point to the letter h in the cue column. Model the sound that letter represents in hat, replace the first sound, and blend the new word. Say cat and hat again so your child can compare them. Write hat in the answer space after the spoken change makes sense.

Try pen to hen next. Keep the other sounds in place while changing the first one. If the task feels difficult, use three counters to represent the spoken sounds and replace only the counter in that position. The oral version practices phonemic awareness. Connecting those sounds with the printed letters adds phonics practice; an adult can handle the writing while the child concentrates on listening and speaking.

Work through one or two rows, then return to the others when your child is ready. Read a completed pair and ask what changed, giving a model again when needed. The Phonics and Sounds set offers related letter-and-sound activities. For a later writing task, explore the Spelling and Word Building set. Choose the next exercise according to the support your child needs with sounds, letters, or spelling.