For parents of young learners
Sight words for kids: 100 words by level
Sight words are the small words that appear on almost every page, like the, is, was and said. Many cannot be sounded out, so children learn to recognise them at a glance. Here are 100 sight words in four levels, sentences to read, and games that make practice fun.
By the Eloqova team · Updated 26 October 2026
How to use these: teach five new words a week. Say the word, use it in a sentence, and find it in a storybook. Move to the next level only when your child reads the current one without hesitating.
Level 1: first 25 sight words (UKG)
- a
- I
- the
- is
- it
- in
- at
- an
- and
- to
- go
- me
- my
- we
- up
- no
- see
- can
- look
- like
- here
- you
- big
- little
- yes
Level 2: next 25 sight words (UKG and Class 1)
- he
- she
- was
- for
- on
- are
- they
- with
- his
- her
- have
- do
- of
- this
- that
- what
- where
- who
- come
- play
- get
- put
- all
- but
- not
Level 3: 25 sight words for Class 1
- said
- there
- their
- when
- then
- them
- from
- by
- had
- were
- one
- two
- some
- now
- be
- so
- out
- down
- into
- went
- came
- saw
- ran
- eat
- our
Level 4: 25 sight words for Class 1 and Class 2
- could
- would
- should
- about
- after
- again
- because
- before
- every
- many
- once
- very
- know
- live
- give
- think
- thank
- first
- found
- under
- over
- always
- around
- which
- white
Sight word sentences to read aloud
| Sight words | Sentence |
|---|---|
| I, see, a | I see a cat. |
| the, is, big | The dog is big. |
| we, can, play | We can play here. |
| look, at, my | Look at my red ball. |
| she, has, a | She has a little bag. |
| they, are, in | They are in the park. |
| what, is, this | What is this? |
| where, is, your | Where is your book? |
| said, come, with | Mum said, "Come with me." |
| went, to, the | We went to the shop. |
| because, was | I ate because I was hungry. |
| every, after | I play every day after school. |
How to practise at home
- Flash cards: show a word for two seconds. If your child reads it, it goes in the 'know' pile.
- Sight word hunt: find this week's words in a storybook or on food packets.
- Hopscotch: write words in chalk and read each one you land on.
- Make silly sentences using three of the week's words.
Questions parents ask
What are sight words?
Common words children learn to recognise instantly, such as the, is, was, said and they. Many of them do not follow regular phonics rules, so they are learnt by sight.
How many sight words should a UKG child know?
Many children read 20 to 50 sight words by the end of UKG, but every child is different. Steady practice matters more than a number.
Should I teach phonics or sight words first?
Both together. Phonics helps children sound out new words, and sight words help with the common words that cannot be sounded out easily.