Lesson 14: Dd /d/

Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Dd!

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re learning the letter Dd, which spells the /d/ sound, like in dog. It’s a common consonant that helps children decode many early reading words. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /d/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Dd, and blend and read short words and sentences.

How to Make the /d/ Sound

The sound /d/ is a voiced stop sound. It’s made with a quick tap of the tongue and a burst of sound.

Here’s how to teach your child to say /d/:

• Place the tip of your tongue just behind your top front teeth.

• Turn your voice on and let the sound out quickly.

• Say: /d/. You cannot stretch this sound—just say it fast and clearly.

Articulate
Try it together: “Let’s say /d/, like a little drumbeat.” You can even tap gently on the table each time you say the sound: /d/ /d/ /d/.

How to Write the Letter Dd

Time to grab your whiteboard and marker.

Uppercase D

• Draw a straight vertical line down.

• Go back to the top and draw a big curve to the right that touches the bottom of the first line.

Lowercase d

• Start by drawing a small circle.

• Then draw a straight line up from the right side, and continue it down past the circle.

Let your child trace with fingers, markers, or even playdough shapes for extra practice.

Let’s Practice Reading Words

Blend these CVC words with the /d/ sound in the beginning or end:

• ad

• dad

• did

• dot

• dip

• dim

• dam

• nod

• pod

Model blending:
“/d/ – /i/ – /d/” → did

Then ask your child to try: “Can you read this word by blending the sounds?”

Let’s Practice Reading Phrases

Use short, decodable phrases with known letter sounds and high-frequency words:

• mad dad

• a sad nod

• did not nod

• a dam

• Dom and dad

• the tan pad

Ask:

“Can you point to the word that starts with /d/? Let’s sound it out together.”

Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences

These short, repetitive sentences help build fluency and confidence:

• Did Dom tap the pad?

• Dom did not tap the pad.

• Did Dan tap the pad?

• Dan did tap the pad.

Model reading with expression, then ask your child to echo read.

Let’s Practice Reading Sentences

Encourage your child to try these independently:

• Did dad tap the pan?

• Dan and Dom nod.

• Dan did not fit.

• Tim and Dom fit on the mat.

Color, Trace, and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Color pictures that begin with /d/

• Trace uppercase and lowercase Dd

• Practice writing the letter Dd

[Download the Dd Worksheet Here]

Flashcards – Beginning Sound Focus

Use flashcards with pictures of words that start with the /d/ sound to build beginning sound awareness.

Examples:

• dog

• dot

• dip

• drum

Ask:

“What sound does this word start with?”
“Can you find the letter D?”

[Download Dd Flashcards – Beginning Sound Set Here]

Conclusion

The letter Dd is a powerful early reading tool—helping children build and blend many simple words. With writing, blending, and connected sentence practice, your child will continue developing strong reading habits.

Make practice consistent and fun. What /d/ word did your child read today? Share it in the comments!