Dolch Pre-Primer Sight Words
The pre-primer list is the starting point for early readers — 40 of the most common words in children's books, designed for pre-kindergarten children ages 4 to 5. Mastering these words gives young readers a solid foundation before moving on to the primer list. A helpful next blend is Dolch Primer Sight Words and Kindergarten Sight Words once these words feel automatic.
Dolch Pre-Primer
Word 1 of 40
All 40 Pre-Primer Words
| a | and | away |
| big | blue | can |
| come | down | find |
| for | funny | go |
| help | here | I |
| in | is | it |
| jump | little | look |
| make | me | my |
| not | one | play |
| red | run | said |
| see | the | three |
| to | two | up |
| we | where | yellow |
| you |
Teaching Tips for Pre-Primer Words
Keep sessions short and playful. Five minutes of focused practice is more effective than a 30-minute session with a restless four-year-old. Hold the flashcard up so your child has to look at you — this makes it feel less like work.
Start with just five words at a time. Once your child can name them instantly without hesitation, swap one out and add a new one. This keeps the deck fresh without overwhelming them.
Use the speaker button to let your child hear each word spoken clearly. For kids who aren't reading yet, hearing and seeing the word together builds the connection between the printed word and its sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Dolch pre-primer words?
The Dolch pre-primer list contains 40 words: a, and, away, big, blue, can, come, down, find, for, funny, go, help, here, I, in, is, it, jump, little, look, make, me, my, not, one, play, red, run, said, see, the, three, to, two, up, we, where, yellow, and you.
How long does it take to learn pre-primer words?
With 5 to 10 minutes of daily practice, most children can learn all 40 pre-primer words within 2 to 3 months. Consistency matters more than the length of each session.
What age is the pre-primer list for?
The pre-primer list is designed for pre-kindergarten children, typically ages 4 to 5. However it is also a great starting point for any early reader who is just beginning to recognize words.
Should I teach all 40 words at once?
No — start with a small set of 5 to 10 words and add more as your child masters each group. Using the shuffle feature on the flashcard tool helps mix up the order so children learn the words rather than memorizing a sequence.