200+ first sight words for children learning English

Sight words are short, common, 'easy' words that young children can learn to recognise by seeing them (rather than sounding them out). Here are the first English sight words that children should learn .

Being familiar with vocabulary makes it easier for first graders to read and understand, and it also expands their vocabulary. While every child learns differently, most first graders know about 100 English words. You can help your child learn more vocabulary by incorporating them into a variety of games and learning activities.

First English sight words for beginners

1. Sight words for elementary school children include short, very common, easy-to-pronounce words like 'a,' 'my,' 'such,' 'down,' and 'little.'
2. Most first graders will master about 100 vocabulary words by the end of the school year.
3. Practice vocabulary with educational games at home or with online learning programs.

The first common English words for beginners

a	comes	his	my	she	used
about	could	how	new	so	very
after	day	I	no	some	was
again	did	if	nut	such	water
all	different	print	now	take	way
also	by	into	number	charcoal	we
safe	does	is	of	that	well
and	down	it	off	the	went
another	each	its	old	their	were
any	even	just	on	add	what
are	find	no	one	then	when
around	first	like	only	there	where
as	for	little	or	these	which
at	from	long	other	they	who
away	get	look	our	things	why
back	go	made	out	think	will
beige	good	make	over	this	with
because	had	man	part	three	word
been	has	many	people	through	words
before	have	May	place	time	work

 

Example sentences using sight words in English

'I see my school bus.'
'I can tie my shoes.'
'I know three words.'
'She is big like me.'
'You are right.'
'He said thank you.'
'I like my dog.'
'Here comes the school bus!'
'You are my friend.'
'I make eggs because they are yummy.'

Learn English sight words through games

Game "Find and smash"

Write down 15-20 vocabulary words on separate pieces of cardboard or sticky notes and arrange them in a grid. Give the reader a fly swatter (or any stick-like object) and ask them to hit the word you are saying. For added challenge, try setting a timer to encourage the learner to recognise vocabulary words more quickly.

Vocabulary Cake

Cut out circles of brown or yellow cardstock and write 15-20 vocabulary words on them. Lay them out on a flat surface and give your child a spoon. Say a word and ask them to flip the 'pancake' with that word on it.

Find toys

Choose 15-20 vocabulary words and write them on the underside of some paper cups. Turn the cups upside down and hide a shuttlecock (or any small toy or object) under one cup. Challenge the learner to find the shuttlecock by recognizing the matching vocabulary word.

Vocabulary darts

Hang a printout of a target on the wall (or draw one on cardboard, or make one out of masking tape—the options are endless!). Then, write some vocabulary words on sticky notes and tape them to the dartboard. Have students aim at specific vocabulary words with a foam dart gun, bean bag, or any other small toy that won't damage the wall.

Sight word monster

Create a hungry monster from an empty tissue box—add eyes or any other features your child likes! Then, instruct your child to "feed" monster flashcards with specific vocabulary words through the opening of the box (the monster's mouth).