Sight words are the short, common words kids meet on almost every page, like the, said and was. Many don't follow the usual phonics rules, so children learn to read them at a glance. These pages use the Dolch lists, a public-domain set of 220 words sorted into five levels from pre-K to 3rd grade.
What are the Dolch sight words?
Edward William Dolch compiled the lists in the 1930s and 1940s from words that come up again and again in children's books. They are still common in classrooms today. Some schools use a different list, such as Fry, or their own order. If you want to match class work, ask your child's teacher which words they are on.
How to practice sight words at home
- Start small. Pick 3 to 5 words, not the whole list.
- Trace, then write. Each level has a word tracing worksheet with one word per row and blank rows to finish.
- Flash cards for speed. Print the cards, cut on the dashed lines, and read a few each day.
- Find them in books. Spotting a word in a real story is what makes it stick.
- Keep it short. Five minutes a day beats a long session once a week.
Kids learn to read at different speeds. If you have concerns, ask your child's teacher or pediatrician.
Still working on letters?
If letters are still new, start with our letter tracing worksheets, or make aname tracing worksheet so the first word your child writes is their own.