A digraph is two letters that together make one sound — like 'sh' in 'ship', 'ch' in 'chip' and 'th' in 'this'. Once your child confidently reads words with single letter sounds, digraphs are the natural next step, because so many everyday words contain them. Teach one digraph at a time, showing that the two letters work as a team to make a single new sound.
What a digraph is
Children first learn that one letter makes one sound. A digraph gently breaks that expectation: two letters, but only one sound. It helps to say this out loud — 's' and 'h' are not /s/ /h/ here; together they make one new sound, /sh/.
Make sure your child is secure with single sounds and blending before starting digraphs. If they are still hesitant sounding out simple words like 'cat', digraphs will overwhelm them. There is no rush; the CAPS Foundation Phase introduces these consonant digraphs after single sounds are established.
Start with sh, then ch, then th
A friendly order is 'sh' first — it is easy to hear and say (like asking for quiet). Then 'ch', which many children already make in words like 'chips' and 'chappies'. Then 'th', which is the trickiest because it actually has two versions.
The 'th' in 'this' and 'that' is voiced (your voice buzzes), while the 'th' in 'thin' and 'think' is unvoiced (just air). You do not need to teach the technical terms — just model both and let your child feel the difference with a hand on their throat.
Blending words with digraphs
Treat the digraph as a single sound when blending. For 'ship', that is three sounds, not four: /sh/ /i/ /p/. Underline or box the two letters together so your child sees them as one unit — a small visual cue that prevents them saying /s/ /h/ separately.
Good early words: ship, shop, fish, dish, wish; chip, chop, chin, much, rich; this, that, then, with, bath. Build a few, read a few, and let your child spot digraphs in their storybooks.
Simple activities that work
Sound sorting is excellent: give your child a set of words or pictures and have them sort by whether they contain sh, ch or th. Digraph hunts in a favourite book — 'find me three words with sh' — turn reading into a treasure hunt.
Multisensory practice sticks best. Have your child write the digraph big in the air while saying its sound, or make the two letters from playdough. Wordworks and Nal'ibali both stress that hands-on, playful practice keeps young children engaged far longer than worksheets alone.
Where digraphs lead next
Sh, ch and th are the gateway to the wider world of letter teams — vowel digraphs like 'ai' and 'oo', and others like 'wh' and 'ng'. Mastering the first three builds the crucial idea that letters often work in teams, which unlocks the rest.
If you would like the sequence and pronunciation handled for you, a CAPS-aligned programme such as SGEG's Literacy Learner Path introduces digraphs in order with audio for each sound, so your child always hears them correctly.
Key takeaways
- A digraph is two letters making one sound: sh, ch, th.
- Only start digraphs once single sounds and blending are secure.
- Teach sh first, then ch, then the trickier th.
- Blend the digraph as one sound: 'ship' is /sh/ /i/ /p/.
- Use sorting games and digraph hunts for playful practice.
References & further reading
- Department of Basic Education — CAPS Foundation Phase
- Wordworks — early language and literacy in South Africa
- Nal'ibali — South Africa's reading-for-enjoyment campaign
External sources open in a new tab. Saving Grace Education Group is not affiliated with these organisations.