Last sounds: what children learn
Hearing the last sound in a word helps children spell whole words, not just the start.
Tap a Listen card to hear a word. Then choose the letter, or letters, for the last sound.
This topic links to an early learning goal in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England (Writing). Children at the expected level of development will: “Spell words by identifying sounds in them and representing the sounds with a letter or letters”. Reception children are usually aged 4–5.
There is no direct equivalent in the US Common Core State Standards.
How to play
Pick a card on the left, then the card on the right that matches it. Each game has 3 pairs. Wrong matches are counted as mistakes, and you get three stars for a game with no mistakes.
Step by step
- Turn the sound on. Each Listen card plays a word; tap it as often as needed.
- Say it slowly. Say the word, then say just the end: ca-t.
- Find the letter. Choose the letter or letters for that sound.
- Check. Say the whole word again with the last sound.
Worked examples
Example 1: Listen: cat
Working: ca-t: the last sound is t.
Answer: t
Example 2: Listen: fish
Working: fi-sh: the last sound is sh.
Answer: sh
Example 3: Listen: ring
Working: ri-ng: ng is one sound.
Answer: ng
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Choosing the first sound Say the word slowly and listen to the end.
- Splitting sh or ng These two letters make one sound.
- Mixing up d and t Say both words slowly and feel the difference.
Activities to try at home
- Say a word and ask your child for the last sound.
- Play rhyme games: hat, cat, mat all end in t.
- Write words with a gap at the end to fill.
Ideas for the classroom
- Use phoneme frames to show first, middle and last sounds.
- Clap the sounds in a word.
- Use the game after a phonics lesson as a quick check.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Why only 3 pairs?
Short rounds suit younger children, and each word has a different last sound.
Is this spelling?
It helps children hear all the sounds in a word so they can write it.
Does my child need to read the Listen cards?
No. Each Listen card plays a recorded word when tapped, so children can play by ear. Turn the sound up and tap a card as many times as needed.