CVC -ab Word Family Worksheets for Preschool (No Writing)
Age Group: 3–5 years No. of Pages: 5 Format: Printable PDF
These 5 printable pages introduce the CVC -ab word family to children aged 3–5 who are not writing yet. Children read words like cab, dab, jab, tab, match them to pictures and listen for sounds.
Get This Worksheet
About This Worksheet
Changing just the first letter turns cab into dab, then jab. That simple pattern is what the -ab word family teaches, and it gives young children an early route into reading on their own.
No pencil is needed: children point, circle and match, so this pack suits early readers who are not yet writing.
Activities in This Pack
The pack has five short activities, all using -ab words:
- CVC -ab word list to read together (cab, dab, jab, tab)
- Match each picture to its -ab word
- Beginning sounds: find the first letter of each -ab word
- Select the matching -ab word
- Select the matching picture
Skills Your Child Practises
- Reading -ab words such as cab and dab
- Blending sounds: c-a-b, cab
- Hearing the beginning sound in jab and tab
- Recognising the -ab ending by sight
- Visual matching of words and pictures
How to Use This Worksheet
- Read the -ab word list together and point to each letter as you say it.
- Blend slowly: c-a-b, cab. Then try dab the same way.
- Swap the first letter to make new words, for example cab to dab.
- Do one or two pages at a time so it stays fun.
- When your child is confident, move on to the -ab reading and writing pack.
About the -ab Word Family
Every -ab word uses the short a sound, as in apple. In this pack your child meets cab, dab, jab and tab. When those feel easy, say other -ab words aloud together: lab, nab, crab and grab. Ask your child which letter changes each time.
Say it together: “A crab sat in the cab.” Point to each -ab word as you say it.
What’s Next?
Next: CVC -ab Words: Reading and Writing Worksheets, the -ab reading and writing pack. For more, see all our CVC worksheets.
Where This Worksheet Fits
This pack is part of our short a CVC word families. For each family, start with the no-writing pack, then move on to reading and writing:
- -ab: No writing (this pack) · Reading and writing
- -ad: No writing
- -ag: No writing · Reading and writing
- -am: No writing
- -an: No writing · Reading and writing
- -ap: No writing · Reading and writing
- -ar: No writing · Reading and writing
- -at: No writing · Reading and writing
More Worksheets
Frequently Asked Questions
Which -ab words are in this pack?
The word list uses cab, dab, jab and tab. When those feel easy, try other -ab words out loud, such as lab, nab, crab and grab.
What sound does -ab make?
It joins the short a sound, as in apple, with the final b. Say it slowly: c-a-b, cab.
Does my child need to write in the -ab pack?
No. Every -ab activity uses pointing, circling or matching, so it suits children who are not writing yet.
How many pages are in the -ab pack, and what do I need?
There are 5 printable pages. You only need a printer and crayons or a pencil for circling.
Get 1 New Worksheet Every Week
Join 10000+ parents and teachers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Looking for more? Browse all our CVC word family worksheets and English worksheets for preschool and kindergarten.