Letter P
P is a consonant. It says puh, as in Penguin.
The pig ate a pizza.
Words that start with P
Tap a picture to hear the word.
How to write P
Draw a tall line down. Go back to the top and draw a big bump. The bump stays at the top, like a flag on a pole.
Shape in short: Vertical line down with a half-circle upper loop on the right side.
Practise tracingFind every P and p
Tap the letters that match. Careful, some look alike!
Find 4 letters to win.
Watch out!
P, b, d and q are all stick-and-circle letters. P has its bump at the top and on the right.
Fun fact
P is a "popping" letter: your lips pop open to say "puh".
Quick quiz
Secret codes for P
For big kids who love puzzles.
Teaching the letter P
Objective: children can name P and p, say its sound (puh, as in Penguin), 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 pig, pizza, penguin, panda. Children clap when they hear the sound at the start.
- See it: point out the capital and small partner, Pp.
- Write it: model the strokes in the air, then on paper. Draw a tall line down. Go back to the top and draw a big bump. The bump stays at the top, like a flag on a pole.
- Use it: read the sentence together: "The pig ate a pizza."
Common mix-ups
P, b, d and q are all stick-and-circle letters. P has its bump at the top and on the right.
Support and stretch
- Support: use sand or a finger on the table before pencil.
- Stretch: ask for a new word that begins with P in it, or spot P in a sentence.
Curriculum links (best guesses, please check)
- UK: Letters and Sounds, Phase 2, set 1. 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 P
Your child is learning to recognise P and p, hear the sound puh, as in Penguin, 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 puh, as in Penguin as short and crisp as you can.
Five easy ideas
- Go on a letter hunt: spot P on cereal boxes, signs and books.
- Write P 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 P in the name: pig, pizza, penguin, panda.
- Read "The pig ate a pizza." together and let your child point to the P.
If your child mixes up letters that look alike, that is very normal at this age. P, b, d and q are all stick-and-circle letters. P has its bump at the top and on the right.
Questions about the letter P
What sound does the letter P make?
The letter P makes the sound puh, as in Penguin. Try saying it with a friend, then find three things in the room that start with that sound.
How do you write the letter P?
Draw a tall line down. Go back to the top and draw a big bump. The bump stays at the top, like a flag on a pole.
What words start with P?
Some easy words that start with P are pig, pizza, penguin, panda. The pig ate a pizza.
Is P a vowel or a consonant?
P is a consonant. The consonants are all the letters except A, E, I, O and U.