Are all six of these equally useful?

No. S and t do a great deal of work in early reading; v, w and x do very little. It is fine to spend the time unevenly rather than treating all letters as equal.

Through the end of words rather than the start — box, fox, six. X almost never begins a word, so the usual what-does-it-start-with game does not work for it.

Alphabet Flashcards (S–X)

Preschool · 3–5

Six free printable alphabet cards on one sheet. S and t are among the most useful letters a beginner can have; v, w and x among the least — so this sheet is not six equally valuable cards, and it is fine to spend the time unevenly. 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.

S through X

S and t are among the most useful letters a beginner can have; v, w and x are among the least. That mix is worth knowing when you decide how much time to spend on this set — it is not six equally valuable cards.

X in particular is almost never at the start of a word, so the usual what-does-it-begin-with game does not work for it. Use box and fox instead and talk about the end.

Not every letter is equally useful

There is no obligation to give the rare letters equal time. A child who knows s, t and a thoroughly is further along than one who has met all twenty-six once, and time spent on x is time not spent on something that appears in every other sentence.

Frequently asked questions

Are all six of these equally useful?: No. S and t do a great deal of work in early reading; v, w and x do very little. It is fine to spend the time unevenly rather than treating all letters as equal.
How do I teach X?: Through the end of words rather than the start — box, fox, six. X almost never begins a word, so the usual what-does-it-start-with game does not work for it.

S through X

X in particular is almost never at the start of a word, so the usual what-does-it-begin-with game does not work for it. Use box and fox instead and talk about the end.

Not every letter is equally useful

Frequently asked questions

Are all six of these equally useful?: No. S and t do a great deal of work in early reading; v, w and x do very little. It is fine to spend the time unevenly rather than treating all letters as equal.
How do I teach X?: Through the end of words rather than the start — box, fox, six. X almost never begins a word, so the usual what-does-it-start-with game does not work for it.