Down — a step-by-step lesson for grown-up and child
Five minutes, one card: say “down” clearly, use it in a real sentence (“Sit down, please.”) and finish with one small game.
What it means
It means toward a lower place.
How to teach it
- Hold up the card and read “down” slowly, sliding a finger under it. Point out its shape: a d with its belly, then an o and a w that looks like two valleys.
- Cover the word with a hand and ask your child to say it from memory. Draw a big tick on the canvas when they get it.
- Play the game below, say “down” one last time and stop while it is still fun.
How to say it
Say d, then ow as in cow: down, like town and crown.
Where to use it
Say it in a real sentence: “Sit down, please.” Then try “The ball rolled down the hill.” Where to spot it: slides, stairs and sit-down instructions.
Try this game
Stand on a low step and say down as you step off. Do it again with a doll or a toy.
Understanding check
Tomorrow, show the card and say nothing. If your child reads “down” at once, it has arrived; if not, play the game again the day after.
Parent tips
If “down” slips away overnight, that is normal. Bring it back the next day with the same game and a smile.
This lesson pairs with the Down flashcard in the library — print it, show it, keep it on the fridge. Back to Sight Words (Class 29).