Push

Example Sentences with Push

• Push the door.
• Push and pull.
• The bush and the push both end with the same sound.
• Say "push" slowly, then say it as one word.

How to Spell “push”

Children most often write this word as poosh, pus, upsh, pushh. Those errors are useful — each one points to a specific sound the child has not yet connected to a letter.

1. Start with the picture: <strong>push</strong> begins with the /p/ sound, so begin with "p".
2. Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>p - u - sh</strong>.
3. The "u" in <strong>push</strong> says /ʌ/, not the letter name "uh". The mouth stays relaxed.
4. The ending "<strong>sh</strong>" is one sound (/ʃ/). Two letters, one sound — do not let the child say two sounds there.

Phonics Tip for Push

"push" and "bush" share the ending /ʊʃ/. Say them back to back so the child hears that only the first sound changes. That is the core of the -ush family.

Fun Facts About Push

Every letter in <strong>push</strong> carries one sound: p says /p/, u says /ʊ/, sh says /ʃ/. That is what makes it fully decodable — a child who knows the three sounds can read <strong>push</strong> on the first try, with no guessing from the picture. It belongs to the -ush family, which has 1 other word in it: bush.

Where to Practise Push

• All short u CVC words — 47 words
• The -ush word family
• CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
• CVC multiple choice quiz
• CVC sentences — read the word in context
• CVC worksheets