Open Syllables

simple sounds

A consonant or blend is added to the start of a vowel sound to make a distinct sound, such as the sound bay in baby, or buh in butter.

vowel Powered

Propelled by one of 14 vowel sounds, an open syllable can be sung and stretched out in time by passing more air through the vocal cords.

first learned

Day-to-day adult speech is based on 600 open syllable sounds, and they are learned during the first 16 months from adult speech.

First heard

Their open nature give a baby time to processes the sound the syllable makes, and to make other muscle and neurological connections with the sound.

intuitve

Most English speakers learned open syllables as infants and don’t remember learning them. Open syllables need to be recognized intuitively before other sounds and words can be learned.