Skip to the guide
PricesMy accountPlay

BRITISH ENGLISH · DISCOVER TOGETHER

Letter sound M: hear /m/ in map and moon

The letter name M is “em”; the sound explored here is /m/, as at the start of map and moon. Listen to the sound, then notice it in familiar words. There is no need to add “uh” after it.

Try it together
INSIDE THE ENGLISH GAMEAn English first-sound activity, with moon and hen picture choices
An English first-sound activity, with moon and hen picture choices

Listen to /m/

The sound in map, from the English game. Written form: m.

Find this sound in its first listening activity ↗

A sound you can gently hold

For /m/, the lips meet and the voice continues. Keep it brief and natural rather than turning it into a performance. The child can listen without copying you. The English first-sound game groups map and moon together.

Find the sound before building the word

Map and moon begin with the same sound but have different remaining sounds and spellings. Hearing /m/ at the start is one task; reading the whole word is another. Follow the sounds your child already knows when deciding what to try next.

SIDE BY SIDE

Listen for a first sound

  1. Listen to the word and its first sound.
  2. Look at the picture choices.
  3. Find the picture that starts with the same sound.

This game mixes several first sounds. It is not a dedicated M-only lesson and may open at the child’s current step.

Try first sounds

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

PUT THE SCREEN DOWN

Map or sun?

You will need: A simple map drawing and a sun drawing.

  1. Say “map” and “sun” together.
  2. Gently model /m/ at the beginning of map.
  3. Let your child point to the picture that begins with /m/.

Keep this activity using your browser’s Print menu, or share it by email. No sign-up needed.

Girafoufou · https://www.girafoufou.com/en/learning-games/letter-sound-m

Questions
from parents.

Is /m/ the same as saying “em”?

No. “Em” is the letter name. /m/ is the sound used here for early blending. Use the pronunciation shown by your child’s school.

Carry the idea a little further.

TRY IT TOGETHER

Short A sound: listen for /æ/ in ant

Listen to the short A sound in British English, hear how it differs from the letter name and explore a first sound game with your child.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

CH sound: two letters, one sound in chip

Hear the English CH sound in chip and notice how two letters work together. Try the game’s recording and a gentle listening activity off screen.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 4 year olds: sounds, numbers and puzzles

Explore letter sounds, compare groups and try a picture puzzle at four. British English voice guidance and a grown-up’s guide to choosing the next step.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 5 year olds: first words and number bonds

Try blending short words, number bonds and early addition at five. See what Girafoufou offers, how to help and when to choose an easier activity.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Help your child start reading with sounds and shared stories

Explore sounds, blending and short stories in British English. Practical ways to help at home while following the phonics approach your child uses at school.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

French for preschoolers: listen, look and find

Discover first French words with pictures and a gentle voice: animals, food and more. No microphone or speaking test, just a first taste of another language.

Explore EXPLORE THE GAMES

British English phonics games: hear, match and blend

Hear letter sounds, blend short words and explore early reading in British English. See the actual activities and follow your child’s school phonics approach.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Blending sounds games: from c–a–t to cat

Listen to the sounds in a short word and blend them together. Explore a first British English blending game, plus a playful spoken activity off screen.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Rhyming games for preschoolers: cat, bat… can you hear it?

Listen for words with the same ending and choose a matching picture. Explore English rhymes together, then try a simple rhyming game without a screen.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Lowercase letter tracing: follow a path with your finger

Explore simple movements and lower-case letters, following the dots with a finger. Discover Girafoufou’s English writing path and a paper activity to try.

Explore

About this guide

Product guide by the Girafoufou team. Updated . The activities described here are checked against the English game.

Educational context, not an endorsement of Girafoufou:

Privacy · Tell us about an error

A small discovery.
Then time to play.

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

Try Girafoufou