Words That Start With Q (& How To Teach It)
Q can feel like the quirky letter nobody’s quite sure about until your child suddenly asks, “What does quack start with?” Because Q shows up less often than letters like S or T, it can seem tricky to teach. But with a little playfulness, you’ll find Q is one of the most fun letters to explore with your child.
Hi, I’m Miss Beth! At Big City Readers, I believe kids learn to read best when it feels joyful, hands-on, and full of discovery. Instead of drilling or memorizing, I teach kids how to truly read by focusing on multisensory strategies like touch, movement, and play, to make even tricky letters like Q feel easy and fun.
List of Words That Start With Q
Start with these great Q words! Some will feel familiar, like “quack,” while others will be fun and new discoveries that stretch your child’s vocabulary. These words are also great for practicing that special /kw/ sound together.
quack
quiz
quilt
queen
quick
quit
quiet
quill
quest
quip
quench
quiver
quality
quarrel
quotient
quarantine
quarter
quarry
Mix familiar and new vocabulary so your child feels excited to learn and proud when they recognize a tricky word. Each new Q word becomes a stepping stone toward a bigger vocabulary and more confident reading.
Here’s a fun tip: Use sticky notes to label the first letter of items around your house to help your little one get familiar with beginning letter sounds. Take a look at how I do it in this Instagram reel.
Learning Q Means Learning QU
When kids meet the letter Q, they’re really meeting a team: Q and U. Q almost never appears on its own. It usually brings its buddy U along! Together, Q and U make the /kw/ sound, like in queen, quack, and quick.
When teaching this to your kids, explain it as a friendship between Q and U. You might say, “Q and U are best friends! They always go places together.” Then, point out examples in books or on labels to help your child notice the pattern.
Here’s a quick activity you can try with them: Write a big Q on a piece of paper and cut out a little U. Tape or glue them together to make a “QU team.” Whenever your child spots a QU word in a story, hold up the team card and practice the /kw/ sound together. This simple, playful connection turns a tricky letter into something memorable and fun.
How to Teach The Letter Q
Start with the Sound
Before you even write the letter, help your child hear and say the /kw/ sound. Try a few simple words like quail, quack, queen, or quarter. Say them together and make it playful. This helps kids notice the sound first, which makes learning the letter much easier. Learn more about how to introduce sounds to your kid with my blog Should I Teach My Child Letters or Sounds First?.
Show How to Say the Q Sound
The /kw/ sound can be a little tricky because it starts with /k/ and quickly moves into /w/. Show your child how your tongue lifts toward the back of your mouth for /k/, then your lips round for /w/. Kids love copying mouth movements, and seeing how you form the sound makes it much easier for them to imitate it correctly.
Show the Letter
After your child can hear and say the /kw/ sound, show them the printed letter Q. Let them see the shape and connect the sound to the letter itself. This helps them understand that the /kw/ sound belongs to the letter Q and its “best friend” U.
Don’t stop with Q, get the complete guide! My Complete ABC Guide is packed with hands-on activities, simple strategies, and multisensory ideas for every letter of the alphabet, including tricky ones like Q. Whether you want to reinforce sounds, practice letter formation, or build confidence with new words, this guide gives you everything you need to make learning letters fun and effective at home.
Common Parent Questions About The Letter Q
How do you teach kids words starting with “Q”?
Start with sound. Let them hear you say the /kw/ sound, then have them try it. Afterwards, show them the letter so they know that sound goes with the Q letter.When to teach words that start with Q?
Introduce Q after your child knows the most common consonants (usually late preschool or early kindergarten).What is the qu rule?
Q is almost always followed by U, and together they make the /kw/ sound (think queen or quick).Do I need to explain “qu” right away?
Keep it simple by casually pointing out that Q and U are “best friends” whenever you see them together.What if my child keeps saying /k/ instead of /kw/?
That’s normal! Gently model the /kw/ sound and let them practice without pressure. It will click over time.
Multisensory Fun: Q Activities and Games
Learning Q doesn’t have to be quiet or boring; it can be downright silly and fun! These hands-on activities turn practicing Q into a game your child will truly look forward to.
Trace “qu” in sand, salt, or shaving cream.
Go on a “Q-word hunt” around the house or while reading a favorite book.
Use a crown for a “queen” or a toy duck for “quack” to tell silly Q stories.
Play the “I Have, You Have” game with Q words.
Keep Exploring Words That Start With Q With Your Child
Mastery takes time, and every little success matters. Celebrate when your child finds a Q word or remembers the /kw/ sound.
Working on other tricky letters, too? Check out my post on List of Words With X, and explore this full list of letter blogs to keep the learning going:
And don’t forget, the Complete ABC Guide is a great way to get playful, hands-on activities for every letter, making learning letters like Q easier and more fun at home.
Quick! Try some of these tips and share in the comments how your child responds to them. I’d love to hear how it goes! Be sure to check out these related blogs:
