If you’ve ever watched a young child begin to read, you know the magic of that moment when they recognize a word for the first time. But not all words are created equal when it comes to learning how to read. Some are easy to decode using phonics, while others seem to defy the rules. These tricky, yet essential words are known as Heart Words, and they play a powerful role in early literacy.
At PDX Reading Specialist, we’re passionate about helping all readers, especially struggling and beginning readers, achieve success. One of the most effective tools in our toolkit is our Heart Word Cards, designed to make those tough words stick. But before we dive into how they work, let’s explore what Heart Words actually are, and why they’re so important.
What Are Heart Words?
Heart Words are high-frequency words that don’t follow regular phonetic rules and must be memorized, at least partially, by heart. These words appear often in print and speech, making them critical for reading fluency and comprehension.
Some classic examples include:
- said
- they
- what
- does
- come
While part of the word might be decodable, there’s usually at least one part that is irregular or “tricky.” For example, in the word said, the /ai/ sound is spelled in an unexpected way. That irregular part is what we ask students to “learn by heart.”
How Are Heart Words Different from Sight Words?
People often confuse Heart Words with Sight Words, but there’s an important distinction:
- Sight Words refer to any word a reader can recognize automatically, without sounding out.
- Heart Words are a subset of sight words that require special attention because they contain irregular spelling patterns.
In other words, all Heart Words can eventually become Sight Words, but not all Sight Words are Heart Words.
Why Are Heart Words Important?
1. They Support Reading Fluency
Heart Words often appear in every sentence a child reads. Mastering them means less time decoding and more time comprehending. For example, words like the, of, was, and you are foundational building blocks in English text. Without instant recognition of these words, reading becomes a laborious and frustrating process.
2. They Improve Confidence
Nothing boosts a child’s confidence like successfully reading a full sentence. When children can instantly recognize Heart Words, they’re able to read more fluidly and with greater accuracy, which builds positive reading experiences.
3. They Are Crucial for Writing
Heart Words also appear in early writing. Being able to spell and use them correctly allows students to express themselves clearly and accurately, even before they’ve mastered all phonics rules.
How Are Heart Words Taught?
Traditionally, many educators taught tricky words through rote memorization. However, science-backed reading instruction has evolved to be more effective.
Modern literacy experts now advocate for orthographic mapping, a method that helps students anchor the spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of a word in their long-term memory. This is where PDX Reading Specialist’s Heart Word Cards come into play.
What Makes Our Heart Word Cards So Effective?
Our Heart Word Cards are specifically designed to support this new, evidence-based approach to word recognition.
Here’s how they work:
Phonics-Based Design
Rather than teaching the entire word as an unbreakable unit, our cards highlight the regular and irregular parts of the word. Students are taught to decode what they can, and remember the irregular part by heart.
For example:
- For said, the student can sound out the /s/ and /d/, but must learn the ai by heart.
Visual Cues
Each card includes visual symbols like a heart above the irregular letters to cue learners into which part needs to be memorized. This taps into visual learning strategies and makes the process engaging and effective.
Repetition and Practice
We provide structured practice that integrates decoding, spelling, and usage, reinforcing memory through multiple learning pathways.
Aligned with the Science of Reading
Our materials are informed by current research and support structured literacy approaches, beneficial for all students and critical for those with dyslexia or other reading difficulties.
Who Benefits From Heart Word Instruction?
Beginning Readers
Kindergarten and first-grade students need to develop a strong foundation. Recognizing Heart Words gives them the tools to read and write more fluently from the start.
Students with Dyslexia
For students with language-based learning difficulties, irregular words can become major obstacles. Our approach supports these learners by combining phonics with memory strategies.
Classroom and Homeschool Teachers
Our Heart Word Cards offer a simple, consistent way to teach tricky words in line with evidence-based practices. Teachers love how easy they are to implement and how much their students improve.
Parents and Tutors
You don’t need a teaching degree to help your child with reading. Our cards make it easy to support learning at home or during tutoring sessions.
The Research Behind Heart Words
The push toward teaching Heart Words using orthographic mapping comes from a growing body of research that supports the Science of Reading, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to how humans learn to read.
Key findings include:
- Children need explicit, systematic instruction to master irregular words.
- Teaching the why behind a word’s spelling helps students retain it more effectively.
- Pairing visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning boosts retention and engagement.
Real Results from Real Educators
Educators and specialists using PDX Reading Specialist Heart Word Cards consistently report better student outcomes. Teachers love how the cards:
- Reduce frustration for struggling readers
- Reinforce spelling patterns
- Make tricky words less intimidating
- Foster more meaningful engagement during lessons
As one teacher put it, “My students finally understand why some words don’t follow the rules. The heart symbol makes it stick, and they feel proud when they get it right.”
Ready to Transform Your Literacy Instruction?
Heart Words may seem small, but they carry big importance in helping children become fluent, confident readers. By teaching them strategically and supportively, you’re building the stepping stones to a lifetime of reading success.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, a homeschool parent, or a reading tutor, PDX Reading Specialist’s Heart Word Cards are an easy, effective way to give your students the boost they need.
Shop Our Heart Word Cards Today
Visit PDX Reading Specialist and explore our expertly designed Heart Word Cards. They’re backed by research, loved by educators, and perfect for building confident readers, one tricky word at a time.
Conclusion: A Heart-Felt Solution to Tricky Words
Heart Words don’t need to be a hurdle. With the right approach, and the right tools, you can help students decode what they can and remember what they must. At PDX Reading Specialist, we’re here to support you with proven strategies, quality materials, and a deep passion for literacy. Let’s turn frustration into fluency, and confusion into confidence, one Heart Word at a time.