How is a blend different from a digraph?

In a blend you hear BOTH letter sounds (st = s + t). In a digraph the two letters make ONE new sound (sh = 'sh').

Can a word have a blend at both ends?

Yes! In 'stand' you hear the st blend at the start and the nd blend at the end.

A blend is two consonants you hear close together. The trick is: you hear both sounds! In st, you hear s AND t glide together. 🌟

Blends can come at the beginning or the end of a word.

These blends start a word.

Say star slowly: s - t - ar. Hear both s and t! 🌟

These blends finish a word.

Say hand slowly: ha - n - d. Hear both n and d at the end! ✋

Be careful! A blend keeps both sounds (st = s + t). A digraph makes one new sound (sh = 'sh'). With a blend, you hear each letter.

Some words have a blend at both ends:

stand = st + a + nd 🧍

Try it: s - t - a - n - d. Two blends in one word!

Read these blend words out loud:

Play the games below to build your own blend words!

When you can hear blends, review all the consonant blends and then meet the consonant digraphs sh, ch and th that make one sound.

Quick quiz

Test yourself and earn XP

Where is the blend in 'star'?

Where is the blend in 'hand'?

What is a blend?