Does Your Child Miss Sounds in Words When They Read or Spell? Here's Help!

One of my students who was successful at blending and spelling simple words like cat really struggled with reading and spelling longer words such as stamps or prompt. She left out sounds when reading or spelling these more complex words. With regular guided practice she eventually improved. This blog post shares strategies that worked for her and that may help your child too.

Why Longer Words Are Hard to Hear

Reading and spelling depend on phonemic awareness—the ability to notice, separate, and remember every sound in a word.

For example:

• A simple word like cat has three sounds: /k/ /ă/ /t/.
  

• A word like scrimps has seven sounds: /s/ /k/ /r/ /ĭ/ /m/ /p/ /s/.
  

• The word prompt has five sounds: /p/ /r/ /ŏ/ /m/ /p/ /t/.

When a word contains many sounds packed together, children often skip or merge sounds—saying scrim for scrimps or pront for prompt. Even children who know their letter‑sounds can struggle if they are not hearing every sound in the word.

Structured Approach: Step by Step

First, focus on hearing the individual sounds (phonemes).

Begin without letters. Focus on hearing and tapping sounds first.

• Start with the base word before adding any suffix. Example: for scrimps, work with scrimp first, then add the “s” at the end.

  
  

• Say the word slowly and have your child tap each sound on their fingers: for prompt,  tap /p/ /r/ /ŏ/ /m/ /p/ /t/.

  
  

• Use manipulatives (pop-its, blocks, erasers, counters) to mark each sound.

  
  

Then, connect to letters & print using blocks and a magnetic tile board.

Once your child taps and says all sounds accurately:

• Use a magnetic board with letter tiles. You can buy one here.

• For example, you can build the word sculpt with blocks or blank tiles. Then write the words with the letter tiles.

  
  

You can also use Elkonin (Sound) Boxes

You can use Elkonin boxes to help children hear and map each sound in a word. Click here to download your own Elkonin boxes.

How to use sound to print boxes:

• Start with sounds only. Say a word slowly. Tap each sound on your fingers or move a token for every sound you hear.

• Connect sounds to letters. Once your child can clearly hear all the sounds, write the matching letters (graphemes) in each box. Remember to use one sound per box, not one letter per box.

Example:

• Say ship slowly: /sh/ /i/ /p/
  

• Tap each sound: | /sh/ | /i/ | /p/ |
  

• Then write the letters in the boxes: sh | i | p
  

Tip: Slip the sound-to-print boxes into a clear plastic sleeve to make them reusable. Write with a dry-erase marker and simply wipe clean after each word.

Lastly, Practice & Transfer

After accurate mapping, have your child write the word independently without the boxes or tiles.

• After several examples, help your child apply this skill while reading or writing short phrases and sentences. Then ask them to use the word in a phrase or sentence.
  

• This helps transfer the skill from isolated word work to fluent reading and spelling.
  

Tips for Parents

• Focus on accuracy, not speed—make sure all sounds are heard before moving on.

  
  

• Use tapping, blocks, or letter tiles to make sounds concrete and visible.

  
  

• Celebrate progress! Hearing every sound is a major step toward confident reading and spelling.

Final Thoughts

Helping your child hear every sound in longer words is a critical step for reading and spelling success. By starting with listening and tapping out sounds, then connecting them to letters using Elkonin boxes or tiles, and finally practicing writing and using the words in context, you can make these tricky words manageable.

This structured, multisensory approach builds confidence, strengthens phonemic awareness, and gives your child the tools they need to tackle longer, more complex words.

With patience, consistency, and practice, your child can improve their reading and spelling one sound at a time.

Take Action Today

 Try these strategies with your child today. Start with one challenging word, use the Elkonin boxes, and celebrate every sound they hear correctly. I would love to hear about your child’s progress or answer any questions you have. Leave a comment below.

If you feel your child needs extra support from a specialist, schedule a free consultation with me today.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Heidi. I am a licensed Reading Specialist and a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in education. Since 2022, I have been supporting children with dyslexia and spelling challenges both online and in person through private practice, working with students in grades 2–12 in the United States and with international school students around the world.

My goal is to make this journey less overwhelming and more empowering for families, helping children gain confidence and success in reading and spelling.

Connect with Heidi at Successfuldyslexiatutoring.com or on Linked in.

Research and References 

Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Elkonin boxes — A classroom strategy. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/classroom/classroom-strategies/elkonin-boxes

Explains how Elkonin boxes help students segment and hear phonemes before connecting them to letters.

International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Studies. (n.d.). Effectiveness of Elkonin boxes in improving the beginning reading skills of grade two pupils. https://www.ijams-bbp.net/archive/vol-5-issue-2-february/effectiveness-of-elkonin-boxes-in-improving-the-beginning-reading-skills-of-grade-two-pupils

Provides research evidence that using sound boxes improves phonemic awareness, decoding, and spelling in early readers.

Andorka, M. (2021). Developing phonemic awareness and phonics skills to read and write. Learning to Teach Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Through Research and Practice, 10(1). https://openjournals.utoledo.edu/index.php/learningtoteach/article/view/470

Discusses how developing phonemic awareness and explicit phonics instruction supports reading and writing development.