Letter R Phonics Worksheet — the /r/ sound
The letter R makes the /r/ sound you hear at the start of Rabbit, Rain and Ring. It is made by curling the tongue back a little while the voice flows, almost like a gentle growl, "r, r, Rabbit". Pretending to be a roaring rocket taking off is a lovely way to practise this rich, rolling sound.
This worksheet helps children aged 2 to 7 trace the letter R, say its /r/ sound and match it to exciting pictures like a Robot, a Rocket and a colourful Rainbow. Counting down and blasting off with "r, r" turns the practice into an adventure your child will want to repeat.
The /r/ sound is one of the trickier ones to say, and many children take until age six or seven to master it. That is completely normal, so be patient and gentle. Hearing /r/ at the start of Rabbit, Rain and Ring still trains the ear for beginning sounds, even before a child can say it perfectly. Keep it warm and fun, and praise every brave "r" they try.
Free for home and classroom use. The preview shows a sample of the printable worksheet.
Little Lotus Learning
Name: ____________
Sample preview
What your child will learn
- Recognising the /r/ sound by ear
- Hearing beginning sounds in words
- Matching the /r/ sound to the letter R
- Listening for /r/ even before saying it perfectly
How parents can use this worksheet
- Pretend to be a Rocket and say "r, r" for take-off.
- Find /r/ things like Rain, a Ring or a Robot.
- Be patient if the sound is not perfect yet.
- Trace the line, loop and leg of the letter R.
Words that begin with the /r/ sound
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, /r/ is one of the last sounds to develop, often around age six or seven. Keep modelling it gently and patiently.
The tongue curls back slightly while the voice flows, a bit like a soft growl. Pretend to be a roaring rocket together.
Yes. Recognising /r/ by ear and matching it to the letter is valuable even before they can pronounce it perfectly.
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