- Definition
This means that how a letter or group of letters is pronounced often depends on where it is located within a word. For example, the letters "ie" sound like "ee" in "niece" and "piece" because they are in the middle of the word.
The letter 'c' makes a hard sound in 'cat' but a soft sound in 'face' because of where it is in the word.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A letter's sound can change based on where it stands in a word, just like you might be the line leader at the front or the caboose at the back.
Ask your child: What sound does 'g' make in 'go'? What about in 'gem'?
Common mix-up: Kids may think each letter makes only one sound. A letter's sound can change based on where it is in a word and which letters are its neighbours.
Examples
- The letter 'g' has a hard sound in 'gas' but a soft sound in 'page'.
- In 'hop,' the 'o' is short, but in 'hope,' the 'e' at the end makes the 'o' say its name.
position-based tendencies is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
