Letter A
A is a vowel. It says ah, as in Apple.
An ant ate an apple.
Words that start with A
Tap a picture to hear the word.
How to write A
Start at the top, slide down to the left, then slide down to the right. Add a short line across the middle, like a little bridge.
Shape in short: Two diagonal slant lines meeting at top, crossed with horizontal bar.
Practise tracingFind every A and a
Tap the letters that match. Careful, some look alike!
Find 4 letters to win.
Watch out!
Sometimes A is mixed up with H. A has a pointy top and H has two straight legs.
Fun fact
A is the most used vowel in English, and the first letter of the alphabet.
Quick quiz
Secret codes for A
For big kids who love puzzles.
Teaching the letter A
Objective: children can name A and a, say its sound (ah, as in Apple), form it correctly and spot it in words.
- Say it: show the letter, say its sound clearly and have children copy you. Use the sound, not the name, to start.
- Hear it: say the words apple, ant, alligator, anchor. Children clap when they hear the sound at the start.
- See it: point out the capital and small partner, Aa.
- Write it: model the strokes in the air, then on paper. Start at the top, slide down to the left, then slide down to the right. Add a short line across the middle, like a little bridge.
- Use it: read the sentence together: "An ant ate an apple."
Common mix-ups
Sometimes A is mixed up with H. A has a pointy top and H has two straight legs.
Support and stretch
- Support: use sand or a finger on the table before pencil.
- Stretch: ask for a new word that begins with A in it, or spot A in a sentence.
Curriculum links (best guesses, please check)
- UK: Letters and Sounds, Phase 2, set 1 (one of the very first letters taught). EYFS Literacy: word reading and writing.
- US: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.1.D (name upper and lowercase letters) and RF.K.3.A (letter-sound correspondence).
Phonics order varies between schools and schemes. Match it to yours.
Helping at home with A
Your child is learning to recognise A and a, hear the sound ah, as in Apple, and write the letter. Little and often works best: 5 to 10 minutes is plenty.
Say it the way school does
Teachers use pure sounds, so try not to add "uh" on the end. Say ah, as in Apple as short and crisp as you can.
Five easy ideas
- Go on a letter hunt: spot A on cereal boxes, signs and books.
- Write A in a tray of rice, sand or shaving foam.
- Make it with play dough or draw it huge with chalk outside.
- Find things that start with A in the name: apple, ant, alligator, anchor.
- Read "An ant ate an apple." together and let your child point to the A.
If your child mixes up letters that look alike, that is very normal at this age. Sometimes A is mixed up with H. A has a pointy top and H has two straight legs.
Questions about the letter A
What sound does the letter A make?
The letter A makes the sound ah, as in Apple. Try saying it with a friend, then find three things in the room that start with that sound.
How do you write the letter A?
Start at the top, slide down to the left, then slide down to the right. Add a short line across the middle, like a little bridge.
What words start with A?
Some easy words that start with A are apple, ant, alligator, anchor. An ant ate an apple.
Is A a vowel or a consonant?
A is a vowel. The vowels are A, E, I, O and U, and every word needs at least one.