It has two sounds — hard in goat, soft in giraffe, where it is really a J. Use goat or gate as the teaching word and leave giraffe for enthusiasm rather than instruction.

My child says wion instead of lion. Is that normal?

Yes. L is a later-developing sound and w is the usual stand-in. Most children have a clear L by around five.

Alphabet Flashcards (G–L)

Preschool · 3–5

Six free printable alphabet cards on one sheet. G through L holds the two most inconsistent letters in the set: g, which is hard in goat and soft in giraffe, and i, whose short and long sounds are easily confused by ear. Print on A4 or US Letter and cut along the dashed lines — sticking the sheet to a cereal box first is worth the extra minute, because flimsy cards bend within a day. Then play rather than test: spread four face up and ask for one, hide one and ask which is missing, or post them through a slot in a box.

G through L

This set contains the two letters with the most inconsistent sounds — g, which is hard in goat and soft in giraffe, and i, whose short and long versions are easily confused by ear. It is worth choosing the teaching words carefully rather than whatever the child suggests.

It also includes l, one of the later-developing speech sounds, so a child who says wion rather than lion is on schedule.

Games that work

Spread four or five face up and ask for the one that starts hat. Hide one and ask which is missing. Post them through a slot in a box. Any of these beats holding cards up one at a time, because the child is doing something rather than being tested.

Frequently asked questions

Why is G confusing?: It has two sounds — hard in goat, soft in giraffe, where it is really a J. Use goat or gate as the teaching word and leave giraffe for enthusiasm rather than instruction.
My child says wion instead of lion. Is that normal?: Yes. L is a later-developing sound and w is the usual stand-in. Most children have a clear L by around five.

G through L

It also includes l, one of the later-developing speech sounds, so a child who says wion rather than lion is on schedule.

Games that work

Frequently asked questions

Why is G confusing?: It has two sounds — hard in goat, soft in giraffe, where it is really a J. Use goat or gate as the teaching word and leave giraffe for enthusiasm rather than instruction.
My child says wion instead of lion. Is that normal?: Yes. L is a later-developing sound and w is the usual stand-in. Most children have a clear L by around five.