Lesson 32: Yy /j/
Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Yy!
What Will We Learn Today?
Today we’re learning the letter Yy, which spells the sound /j/—as in yak, yum, and yes. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /j/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Yy, and blend and read short words, phrases, and connected sentences using this gliding, voiced consonant.
How to Make the /j/ Sound
The /j/ sound is a voiced, glide consonant made toward the front of the mouth.
Here’s how to help your child say it:
Raise the middle of your tongue near the roof of your mouth, just behind the top front teeth.
Keep your lips relaxed and slightly spread like a smile.
Turn your voice on.
Let the sound glide out gently: /j/
This is the same sound as in yes, yak, and yum.
Articulate
Say it together:
“Let’s say /j/ like a joyful ‘yes!’—/j/!”
Try gliding the sound softly and clearly.
Ask your child to smile as they say it—it helps form the correct shape!
How to Write the Letter Yy
Grab your whiteboard and marker!
Uppercase Y
Draw a slanted line down to the middle.
Go back to the top and draw another slanted line down on the other side.
From the middle, draw a straight line going down to form the stem.
Lowercase y
Start with a small slanted line down to the middle.
Then draw another slanted line down that goes below the line (it hangs down like a tail).
Try rainbow writing, air writing, or forming the letter with your fingers in the air.
Let’s Practice Reading Words
Blend and read these /j/ words:
yep – yak – yip – yes – yam – yum – yap – yet – yup
Model:
“/j/ – /æ/ – /k/” → yak
Encourage your child to say each sound, then blend smoothly.
Let’s Practice Reading Phrases
yap and yip
yup, I said
a mad yak
the big yak
do the yap
the hot yam
Have your child point to each word and blend as they go.
Let’s Practice Reading Sentences
Yes, the yam is hot.
The yak said, ‘Yum!’
The yak did yelp as it ran.
Do the yip and jump.
Ask your child to identify the words with the /j/ sound.
Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences
The yak is on the mat.
The yam is on the mat.
The cat said, “Do not get it yet! It is hot.”
The yak said, “Yum!”
Yup, the yak got the yam.
It is hot. The yak did yelp and ran.
Ask:
What happened to the yak?
Why did it yelp?
What did the cat say?
Color, Trace, and Write
Use worksheets where your child can:
Color pictures with /j/ words (e.g., yak, yam, yes)
Trace uppercase and lowercase Yy
Write the letter independently
[Download the Yy Worksheet Here]
Flashcards – Beginning Sound Focus
Use picture flashcards to practice recognizing the /j/ sound.
Examples:
yak
yam
yes
yogurt
Ask:
“What sound do you hear at the beginning?”
“Which letter spells that sound?”
[Download Yy Flashcards – Beginning Sound Set Here]
Conclusion
The /j/ sound is joyful and fun to say! Through clear articulation, letter practice, and playful reading, your child will strengthen their early reading skills.
Ask your child:
“Can you think of a /j/ word to say with a big smile?”