CVC words (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) like cat, dog, and pen are the foundation of early reading. Their simple, predictable pattern helps children connect letters to sounds and blend them into words with confidence.

According to the Science of Reading, explicit practice with CVC words builds phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency all essential for strong literacy skills.

Learning CVC words gives children early success, boosts their confidence, and prepares them for longer, more complex words. They aren’t just short words, they’re the gateway to fluent reading.