Letter B
B is a consonant. It says buh, as in Ball.
The bee sat on the ball.
Words that start with B
Tap a picture to hear the word.
How to write B
Start at the top and draw a straight line down. Go back to the top and draw a big bump, then another big bump below it.
Shape in short: Vertical line down, followed by two rounded bumps on the right side.
Practise tracingFind every B and b
Tap the letters that match. Careful, some look alike!
Find 4 letters to win.
Watch out!
B and D are mirror twins. B has its bumps on the right, like a bat and ball: the stick comes first, then the bumps.
Fun fact
The letter B looks like two bumps stacked on a stick, a bit like a bee on a stalk.
Quick quiz
Secret codes for B
For big kids who love puzzles.
Teaching the letter B
Objective: children can name B and b, say its sound (buh, as in Ball), 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 ball, bee, banana, bus. Children clap when they hear the sound at the start.
- See it: point out the capital and small partner, Bb.
- Write it: model the strokes in the air, then on paper. Start at the top and draw a straight line down. Go back to the top and draw a big bump, then another big bump below it.
- Use it: read the sentence together: "The bee sat on the ball."
Common mix-ups
B and D are mirror twins. B has its bumps on the right, like a bat and ball: the stick comes first, then the bumps.
Support and stretch
- Support: use sand or a finger on the table before pencil.
- Stretch: ask for a new word that begins with B in it, or spot B in a sentence.
Curriculum links (best guesses, please check)
- UK: Letters and Sounds, Phase 2, set 5. 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 B
Your child is learning to recognise B and b, hear the sound buh, as in Ball, 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 buh, as in Ball as short and crisp as you can.
Five easy ideas
- Go on a letter hunt: spot B on cereal boxes, signs and books.
- Write B 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 B in the name: ball, bee, banana, bus.
- Read "The bee sat on the ball." together and let your child point to the B.
If your child mixes up letters that look alike, that is very normal at this age. B and D are mirror twins. B has its bumps on the right, like a bat and ball: the stick comes first, then the bumps.
Questions about the letter B
What sound does the letter B make?
The letter B makes the sound buh, as in Ball. Try saying it with a friend, then find three things in the room that start with that sound.
How do you write the letter B?
Start at the top and draw a straight line down. Go back to the top and draw a big bump, then another big bump below it.
What words start with B?
Some easy words that start with B are ball, bee, banana, bus. The bee sat on the ball.
Is B a vowel or a consonant?
B is a consonant. The consonants are all the letters except A, E, I, O and U.