Letter M
M is a consonant. It says mmm, as in Monkey.
The monkey drank milk.
Words that start with M
Tap a picture to hear the word.
How to write M
Draw a line down. Go back up and make a hill, then another hill. M has two humps, like a camel.
Shape in short: Two vertical pillars with two diagonal strokes dipping to the baseline.
Practise tracingFind every M and m
Tap the letters that match. Careful, some look alike!
Find 4 letters to win.
Watch out!
M and W are upside-down twins. M has two hills pointing up.
Fun fact
M is a "humming" letter: close your lips and say "mmm".
Quick quiz
Secret codes for M
For big kids who love puzzles.
Teaching the letter M
Objective: children can name M and m, say its sound (mmm, as in Monkey), 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 moon, mouse, monkey, milk. Children clap when they hear the sound at the start.
- See it: point out the capital and small partner, Mm.
- Write it: model the strokes in the air, then on paper. Draw a line down. Go back up and make a hill, then another hill. M has two humps, like a camel.
- Use it: read the sentence together: "The monkey drank milk."
Common mix-ups
M and W are upside-down twins. M has two hills pointing up.
Support and stretch
- Support: use sand or a finger on the table before pencil.
- Stretch: ask for a new word that begins with M in it, or spot M in a sentence.
Curriculum links (best guesses, please check)
- UK: Letters and Sounds, Phase 2, set 2. 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 M
Your child is learning to recognise M and m, hear the sound mmm, as in Monkey, 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 mmm, as in Monkey as short and crisp as you can.
Five easy ideas
- Go on a letter hunt: spot M on cereal boxes, signs and books.
- Write M 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 M in the name: moon, mouse, monkey, milk.
- Read "The monkey drank milk." together and let your child point to the M.
If your child mixes up letters that look alike, that is very normal at this age. M and W are upside-down twins. M has two hills pointing up.
Questions about the letter M
What sound does the letter M make?
The letter M makes the sound mmm, as in Monkey. Try saying it with a friend, then find three things in the room that start with that sound.
How do you write the letter M?
Draw a line down. Go back up and make a hill, then another hill. M has two humps, like a camel.
What words start with M?
Some easy words that start with M are moon, mouse, monkey, milk. The monkey drank milk.
Is M a vowel or a consonant?
M is a consonant. The consonants are all the letters except A, E, I, O and U.