Letter H
H is a consonant. It says huh, as in House.
The hen has a hat.
Words that start with H
Tap a picture to hear the word.
How to write H
Draw a tall line down. Draw another tall line next to it. Then join them with a short line across the middle, like a ladder.
Shape in short: Two vertical parallel lines connected in the middle by a horizontal bar.
Practise tracingFind every H and h
Tap the letters that match. Careful, some look alike!
Find 4 letters to win.
Watch out!
H and A can look alike. H has two straight legs, A has a pointy top.
Fun fact
To say H, you just blow a little puff of air: "hhh".
Quick quiz
Secret codes for H
For big kids who love puzzles.
Teaching the letter H
Objective: children can name H and h, say its sound (huh, as in House), 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 house, hat, horse, hen. Children clap when they hear the sound at the start.
- See it: point out the capital and small partner, Hh.
- Write it: model the strokes in the air, then on paper. Draw a tall line down. Draw another tall line next to it. Then join them with a short line across the middle, like a ladder.
- Use it: read the sentence together: "The hen has a hat."
Common mix-ups
H and A can look alike. H has two straight legs, A has a pointy top.
Support and stretch
- Support: use sand or a finger on the table before pencil.
- Stretch: ask for a new word that begins with H in it, or spot H 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 H
Your child is learning to recognise H and h, hear the sound huh, as in House, 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 huh, as in House as short and crisp as you can.
Five easy ideas
- Go on a letter hunt: spot H on cereal boxes, signs and books.
- Write H 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 H in the name: house, hat, horse, hen.
- Read "The hen has a hat." together and let your child point to the H.
If your child mixes up letters that look alike, that is very normal at this age. H and A can look alike. H has two straight legs, A has a pointy top.
Questions about the letter H
What sound does the letter H make?
The letter H makes the sound huh, as in House. Try saying it with a friend, then find three things in the room that start with that sound.
How do you write the letter H?
Draw a tall line down. Draw another tall line next to it. Then join them with a short line across the middle, like a ladder.
What words start with H?
Some easy words that start with H are house, hat, horse, hen. The hen has a hat.
Is H a vowel or a consonant?
H is a consonant. The consonants are all the letters except A, E, I, O and U.