Minimal pair pictures
Minimal pairs are two words which sound the same apart from one sound, for example: ‘tea’ and ‘key’.
Children sometimes find it difficult to hear or make different sounds, which might mean they mix
the sounds up and say a different word (e.g. they say ‘tea’ but mean to say ‘key’).
Why use minimal pairs?
Minimal pairs are used so that children can hear the different sounds contrasted against each
other and develop their awareness of sounds. Minimal pairs help children to understand that
using a sound correctly or incorrectly changes the meaning of the word.