Dolch list · Pre-K
Dolch Pre-primer Sight Words
40 words, the very first sight words. Tap any word for its own page.
What this list covers
The pre-primer list is where most children start. It holds the small words that turn up on nearly every page of a first reader: the, and, a, to, I, you. Many can be sounded out (big, red, run), and a few can't (said, one, the).
How to teach the pre-primer words
Pick five words, including one or two your child already half knows. Add a new word only when the last ones come quickly.
Short phrases such as I can see and look at me let a child read something real within days. That's a big confidence boost.
Said and one don't sound the way they look. Say so, and show which letters are the tricky part.
Play the pre-primer words
Every word in this game comes from this list, and each one is read aloud.
Free to play · no signup · works on phones, tablets and computers
Quick quiz: which word do you hear?
Keep going
Dolch pre-primer questions
How many Dolch pre-primer words are there?
40, out of 220 Dolch service words.
What grade is the pre-primer list for?
It's usually taught around pre-K or early kindergarten, but use the list that matches your child, not their age. Some children need an earlier list, and some are ready for the next.
An app is on the way
We're building a Wordburrow app for iPhone. The plan is everything you can play here, plus offline play and a parent view of the words that have stuck. It isn't out yet. The whole game is free here in the meantime.
Coming soon on theApp Store