Letter Y Phonics Worksheet — the /y/ sound
The letter Y makes the /y/ sound you hear at the start of Yellow, Yo-yo and Yak. It is a gentle gliding sound, made by raising the middle of your tongue and pushing your voice out, "y, y, Yes". It almost slides into the next sound, which is why words like Yellow feel so smooth to say.
This worksheet helps children aged 2 to 7 trace the letter Y, say its /y/ sound and match it to fun pictures like a Yacht, a big Yawn and a bowl of Yoghurt. Pretending to yawn slowly while saying "y, y" is a giggly way to remember this sliding sound.
Y is a clever letter, because at the start of words it makes the /y/ sound, but at the end of words it can sound like /i/ or /ee/, as in happy. For now we focus on the beginning /y/ sound to keep things simple. Hearing it at the start of Yellow, Yo-yo and Yak trains the ear for beginning sounds. Keep it light and playful, and praise every smooth "y" your little one makes.
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 gliding /y/ sound by ear
- Hearing beginning sounds in words
- Matching the /y/ sound to the letter Y
- Learning that Y starts words with /y/
How parents can use this worksheet
- Say "y, y, Yes" and feel the sound glide.
- Find /y/ things like Yellow, a Yak or a Yo-yo.
- Pretend to Yawn slowly while making the sound.
- Trace the two arms and tail of the letter Y.
Words that begin with the /y/ sound
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Frequently Asked Questions
At the start of words Y makes the /y/ sound, but at the end it can sound like /ee/, as in happy. Start with the beginning /y/.
The middle of the tongue lifts while the voice flows, so the sound glides smoothly into the next one, as in Yellow.
It can act as both, but for beginning phonics we treat it as a consonant making the /y/ sound at the start of words.
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