Consonant Sounds: Match the Objects! L & R Sounds Worksheet
Distinguishing between 'l' and 'r' is one of the trickier auditory discriminations in early phonics, since the two sounds are formed with similar tongue positions and are frequently confused by young English learners. This worksheet gives children ages 4-6 focused practice listening for the difference at the start of familiar object names, then matching each picture to its correct consonant. Strengthening this specific sound contrast supports both clearer speech and more accurate spelling later on.
Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Say each object's name out loud together, stretching the beginning sound slightly so your child can hear it clearly — 'lllion' versus 'rrrabbit.' Ask your child to decide whether the object starts with 'l' or 'r' and draw a line connecting the picture to the matching letter. Work through the page one row at a time rather than all at once, since this sound pair takes real concentration. Finish by having your child say all the 'l' words together and then all the 'r' words together.
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Crayons
Extension activities
- •Play 'l or r' with household objects — hold up a lamp, a rug, a lid, and a ring, and have your child call out the starting sound.
- •Practice tongue position in a mirror: show how 'l' touches the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth while 'r' doesn't touch at all.
- •Make two piles of toys or picture cards, one labeled 'L' and one labeled 'R', and sort items into each.
- •Read a picture book and pause on any 'l' or 'r' word to ask which sound it starts with.
- •Sing a simple song swapping in l-words and r-words, like 'Old MacDonald' with 'lion' and 'rooster.'
Tips for parents and teachers
Confusing l/r sounds at this age is extremely common and not a cause for concern — many children need dozens of repetitions before the contrast feels automatic. If your child mismatches a picture, say the word back to them slowly and ask them to feel where their tongue goes rather than simply correcting the answer. Keep the tone playful; this is one of the harder sound pairs in English and frustration will undo more progress than a wrong answer ever will.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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