- Definition
A vowel is a sound you make with your mouth open, like the "a" in "cat" or the "e" in "bed.
In the word 'cat,' the 'a' makes the open vowel sound in the middle.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A vowel is like a sound you can sing without your lips, teeth, or tongue getting in the way.
Ask your child: What does your mouth do when you say the 'a' in 'cat'?
Common mix-up: Kids often think vowels are just the letters a, e, i, o, u. The key idea is that vowels are the open sounds we make, which those letters usually represent.
Examples
- The letter 'e' in the word 'bed' makes a short vowel sound.
- The letter 'o' in the word 'go' makes a long, open vowel sound.
vowel 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 ↗
