Free printable · Dolch sight words

Dolch pre-primer sight words

Edward Dolch published his list of 220 "service words" in 1936: the small words, like the, and and said, that make up much of what young children read. Schools usually teach them in five levels; this is the pre-primer level. Pre-primer is the first level, and it is usually started in preschool or kindergarten.

This page has all 40 words of the Dolch pre-primer list, in alphabetical order, as a printable list and as flashcards.

Words a to d

a
and
away
big
blue
can
come
down

Words f to i

find
for
funny
go
help
here
I
in

Words i to m

is
it
jump
little
look
make
me
my

Words n to t

not
one
play
red
run
said
see
the

Words t to y

three
to
two
up
we
where
yellow
you

How to use this list

Start with the words your child can already sound out (big, can, jump, red, up), so the first cards feel easy.
Sound out any part of the word that follows the usual rules (most do), and point out only the tricky part.
Keep a small pile of words your child knows and a small pile they are learning, and move cards over as they get them.
Read the words in real books too. A word on a card is learned for good when your child reads it in a story without stopping.

Frequently asked questions

Are Dolch words the same as sight words?

Dolch words are one well-known list of high-frequency words. Many schools call them sight words, but most of them can be sounded out, and children learn them best with phonics plus practice, not by memorising shapes.

When should my child know the pre-primer words?

Many kindergartens work on them through the year. There is no single deadline; what matters is steady progress and lots of reading together.

Is it all right to print and share this list?

Yes. The Dolch lists are old enough to be in the public domain, and this page is free to print for home or classroom use.

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