Punjabi Barakhadi (Lagan Matra) with audio

Once a child knows the Punjabi letters, the next step is joining a consonant with a vowel sign. This chart shows every consonant with every vowel sign, so a child can see how one letter changes its sound and shape. Tap any syllable to hear it spoken in Punjabi, or press Play row to hear a whole row in order.

How to teach it

1. Start with one row a day, say it slowly together and clap once for each syllable.
2. Point to the vowel sign and ask what changed: the sound or the shape?
3. Find the same syllables in real words on packets, signs and books.
4. Write one row on paper after hearing it; the Punjabi tracing worksheet helps with the letter shapes first.

Right age

Most children are ready for vowel signs at around five, after they know the letters by sight and sound. If it feels hard, go back to the Punjabi alphabet for a few days.

Now do it for real

When the screen goes off, do something with your hands. Try 🐶 Paper bag animal — an easy craft for ages 3-6, with every step read aloud in your language. You will need a paper bag, colours and scrap paper, glue; nothing that needs a trip to a shop.

There are 56 more on the things to do at home page, and free printable worksheets if you would rather have something on paper. Ten minutes on a screen and twenty minutes off it is a good shape for a day at this age.

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