List Of Words With E: Making Reading Feel Easy!
Have you ever wondered how to make learning letters more like play and less like work?
In my experience, kids learn letters best when we keep things simple, hands-on, and fun. A little play goes a long way when it comes to early literacy! Vowels are a great place to start and are especially important to master because they can be found in every syllable! The letter E is the most used letter in the alphabet, making it the perfect focus to build your child's confidence and enhance their vocabulary.
If you are new here, welcome to Big City Readers! I'm Miss Beth, and I'm so glad you're here. At Big City Readers, we're all about making early learning feel fun, joyful, and something every child can feel confident about. I love using playful, hands-on activities rooted in the five building blocks of literacy: reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing. Around here, we also follow the Orton-Gillingham approach to make sure every child feels supported—no matter how they learn best.
Today, let’s focus on why the letter E is so important and some creative yet practical ways to make this learning enjoyable for your child!
E Is Everywhere! How One Letter Makes A Big Impact
E is one of the hardest-working letters, and since it’s a vowel, it gets extra popularity. Vowels are the foundation for basic word structures, which is why there is a vowel sound in every single syllable. Think of them as the glue that holds words together. In both big and small words, vowels have to be present or else the word just doesn’t stick! Let’s look at some examples with E:
Elephant: El-e-phant → 3 syllables, and E gets the first 2!
Egg: Just one syllable with E at the start!
Excellent: Ex-cell-ent → 3 syllables with E in all of them!
List Of Words That Start With E
Long Vowel:
Ear: A part of your body that helps you hear sound.
Eat: Putting food in your mouth to help you be strong and healthy.
Easy: When something is not hard to do.
Eraser: A tool that lets you fix your mistakes on paper.
Eagle: A big, powerful bird.
Emotion: The way your heart feels—like happy, sad, or angry.
Elastic: When something can stretch and bounce back.
Short Vowel:
Egg: A yummy breakfast food.
End: When a story finishes or play time is over.
Elephant: A big, grey animal with a long trunk and big ears.
Exit: The way out of a place, like a door, you go out when you leave somewhere.
Enter: To walk into a place, like walking through the door to go inside.
Edible: Something that is safe to eat, like an apple or cookies.
Excited: When you feel super happy and full of energy.
Here is a list of words that your child can use for everyday practice. These include both familiar and uncommon words, allowing your child to expand their vocabulary to a wider range.
Why The Letter E Is So Important…
Vocabulary Boost: E is like a little superstar hiding in hundreds of words your child will use every day. Once they get the hang of it, it’s like a lightbulb moment—words just click into place!
Builds Confidence: E appears frequently in daily words like “the”, “see”, “we”, and “eat”. Mastering this letter can provide them with an initial feeling of success.
Starting Strong For Future Success: Because E is the most common letter, comprehending it lays the foundation for children's reading, writing, and speaking skills.
Learn more about the “Magic E” rule from my Instagram!
From Eh To Eee: Help Your Child Master The Sound Of E
Before we jump into reading and writing with the letter E, let’s make sure your child can hear and say the sound just right! E might look simple, but it’s a sneaky little letter with two different sounds—and that can feel a little tricky at first. But don’t worry, we’ll break it down and make it fun together!
How Do I Make Learning E Easier?
Step 1: Meet the Short E Sound – “Eh!”
Let’s start with short vowels first, because they’re super common and easier for little ears to hear! Think of words like “bed” or “pet”. Say them out loud together- it’s quick, fun, and the perfect starting point.
Step 2: Diving Into Long Vowels
Long vowels sound just like their letter names—like the “E” in "me". These sounds are usually made when two vowels are side by side or when a word ends in E (one of the many reasons the letter E is so important!). Long vowels can be a bit trickier for early learners to grasp, which is why we usually introduce them after kids have a solid handle on short vowel sounds.
Step 3: Word Practice
Start with easy E words that have short vowel sounds like “end”, “enter”, and “echo”. Break these down into individual sounds and repeat them together.
Step 4: Play Sound And Writing Games
Turn learning into play time! Kids learn best when they’re having fun, so playing games is the perfect way to do both. For example, say a word aloud and ask them to identify whether it has the 'eh' sound. It’s also helpful to practice writing the letter E so they become familiar with its shape. Try using everyday words with E in the middle—like 'tree' or 'hello'—to show how it works alongside other letters.
If you’re curious about how to teach your child other vowel sounds in an engaging and productive way, check out my post: How To Teach Vowels To Your Child In A Way That Actually Works!
Elevate The Fun With Letter Activities
As every parent can agree, everything is more enjoyable when your child is having fun! That’s why it is so important to make introducing the letter E entertaining so they stay motivated to learn.
Here are some creative ways to make this learning experience enjoyable:
Hands-On Crafts: Allow your child to form the letter E out of crafty materials like pipe cleaners, sticks, playdough, or even drawing in the sand. Another one of my favorite ways to practice this is by using playdough and a pencil to shape and trace the letter E. It’s a fun way to work on pencil grip and letter formation all at once. See it in action here!
Sound Stomp: Say words that have the letter E aloud, and have your child stomp when they hear the short or long E sound (like “eagle” or “den”).
Letter E Scavenger Hunt: Search the house for objects that either start with E, like eggs or envelopes.
Edible E: Go ahead and toss the saying “don’t play with your food” out the window for this one! Arrange snacks like crackers, grapes, or carrots in the shape of an E to get familiar with its shape.
What Children's Books Focus On The Letter E?
Reading with your child is a great way to introduce new letters in a low-energy and comfortable environment. Any story can help expose them to new words and letters, but books that highlight the letter E can help your child recognize it without even realizing they are learning!
Here are a few recommendations to explore the letter E:
“Elmer the Patchwork Elephant” by David McKee: This story of a brightly colored elephant encourages kids to be their true selves while repeating the letter E, making it a perfect choice for early learners.
“Edwina the Emu” by Sheena Knowles: A heartwarming story about self-exploration and identity that features a common theme of words with E to familiarize children with its pronunciation.
You Can Teach Your Child Their Letter Sounds — And I Can Help Make It Easy & Fun!
My guide, The Complete Guide To The ABCs, is filled with Miss Beth-approved worksheets, tips, video tutorials, activities, and more to help your child learn their ABCs and grow their reading skills. This includes 80+ pages of letter activities, downloads, and expert tips in research-backed reading strategies and social-emotional development. And the best part? It's FUN!
Understanding Vowels Is The Key To An Advanced Vocabulary
Teaching the letter E doesn’t have to be tricky! With the right mix of games, giggles, and a sprinkle of everyday practice, your child will be spotting E’s everywhere—from storybooks to snack time!
Every time your child masters a letter, it’s another step further in building strong reading and writing muscles.
Do you want more ideas on how to help your child learn the letter E? Share your suggestions or questions in the comments! Don’t forget to check out my latest posts for tips and resources to support your child on their early literacy journey: