Try slowly sounding out this word and see how both the /c/ and the /t/ closes at some point in your mouth. It is not until you add the vowel sound that the air can escape. However, if you say the /c/ sound you will notice that your tongue lifts up and closes the opening to your throat. Like me, you may start going through the alphabet to test it out and get to the letter ‘c’ and say, ‘aha’, you have to open your mouth for the ‘c’ sound, (as I did too). Did you know that… A vowel sound opens your mouth and a consonant closes your mouth. This next bit of information may blow your mind as it did mine when I first learnt about it.

Have you ever tried to say the word ‘cat’ without opening your mouth? Go on, have a try! It’s impossible isn’t it. However, before diving into exactly what short vowel sounds are, we first need to understand the importance of all of our vowel sounds in English. They are one of the most important things to teach children as they begin their reading journey. So what are short vowel sounds? Let me tell you. Short vowel sounds are what I call the superheroes of reading!

What is a long vowel