What is a digraph?
A digraph is two letters that together make one single new sound — not heard in either letter alone. The "ch" in chair doesn't sound like /c/ + /h/; it makes the /tʃ/ sound. Digraphs can appear at the beginning of words (ship), the end (fish), or both (church). The 6 main digraphs are: ch, sh, th, wh, ph, ng.
Digraph "ch" — /tʃ/ · beginning & end
Digraph "sh" — /ʃ/ · beginning & end
Digraph "th" — /θ/ or /ð/ · beginning & end
Digraph "wh" — /w/ or /hw/ · beginning
Digraph "ph" — /f/ · beginning & middle
Digraph "ng" — /ŋ/ · end
How to Teach Digraphs
Start with sh and ch
"Sh" and "ch" are the most common digraphs and appear in dozens of beginner words. Introduce "sh" first (ship, shop, fish), then "ch" (chin, chip, much). Both appear at the start and end of words.
Contrast voiced and unvoiced "th"
"Th" has two sounds: voiceless /θ/ as in think, path (no vocal buzz), and voiced /ð/ as in that, this (vocal buzz). Put a hand on your throat — you can feel the difference.
Use hand signals
Assign a gesture to each digraph: "sh" = finger to lips (shh!), "ch" = train wheels moving (ch-ch-ch), "th" = stick tongue out. Gestures create a kinesthetic memory anchor.
Teach "ng" at the end of words
"Ng" only appears at the end of syllables (king, sing, song). It makes a nasal sound at the back of the throat. Practice with rhyme families: king, ring, sing, wing, bring, thing, sting.