The Tricky-to-Hear Second-Last Sound: Why It’s Hard for Kids and How to Help

When children are learning to read and spell, one of the common challenges they face is hearing and identifying every sound in a word — especially the second-last sound. 

This might sound like a small detail, but it’s actually a big deal when it comes to mastering reading and writing.

In this post, we’ll explain what the second-last sound is, why it’s so tricky for kids to hear, and how you can help your child become more confident with these sneaky little sounds.

The Tricky-to-Hear Second-Last Sound: Why It’s Hard for Kids and How to Help

🧠 What Is the “Second-Last Sound”?

When we say the “second-last sound,” we’re talking about the sound just before the final sound in a word. For example:

• In “jump”, the sounds are /j/ /u/ /m/ /p/ — the second-last sound is /m/.
• In “milk”, the sounds are /m/ /i/ /l/ /k/ — the second-last sound is /l/.
• In “hand”, the sounds are /h/ /a/ /n/ /d/ — the second-last sound is /n/.

These sounds often sit in the middle of consonant blends or clusters and can be quick, soft, or easily blended, making them hard for young ears to catch.

🤔 Why Is the Second-Last Sound So Tricky?

1. It’s fast and quiet
   Many of these sounds are soft or quick — think /m/, /n/, /l/, /k/, /d/ — and can be swallowed up when a child says the whole word aloud.
2. Consonant blends confuse things
   In words like “ask” or “help,” the sounds blend together tightly. Kids often hear the first and last sounds, but the one in the middle gets missed.
3. Developing phonemic awareness
   Phonemic awareness — the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds — is a skill that takes time to build. Missing the second-last sound is a sign your child is still learning to tune into each sound.

🔍 Examples of Tricky Second-Last Sounds

Word	Second-Last Sound
Jump	/m/
Milk	/l/
Help	/l/
Hand	/n/
Ask	/s/
Bend	/n/
Mask	/s/

🛠️ How You Can Help

Here are a few simple strategies to help your child hear and master these sounds:

1. Stretch the word out slowly
   Say the word in “slow motion” and stretch each sound: “J-u-mmmm-p.” Pause before the final sound so the second-last one is more noticeable.
2. Use sound boxes (Elkonin boxes)
   Draw a box for each sound in the word. As your child says the word, they can push a counter or marker into each box for each sound. This helps them slow down and isolate what they hear.
3. Tap the sounds out
   Have your child tap their fingers or clap for each sound they hear in the word. This physical movement can help break the word apart clearly.
4. Record and play back
   Use a phone or tablet to record your child saying the word. Play it back together and listen closely — sometimes hearing themselves helps them notice sounds they missed.
5. Practice with similar words
   Group words with similar tricky spots, like “jump,” “bump,” and “stump.” Noticing patterns helps tune their ears.

💬 What are Tricky to Hear Second Last Sounds

Missing the second-last sound is a very normal part of learning to read and spell. 

With a bit of extra focus and practice, kids can learn to hear every sound in a word and build stronger reading foundations. 

Be patient, make it playful, and celebrate the progress along the way.