Open and Closed Syllables: The Foundation of Fluent Reading Most People Miss
If you’ve ever worked with a struggling reader, you’ve seen the problem firsthand: they sound out part of a word correctly, then get stuck or guess at the rest. More often than not, the root of the issue lies in one critical misunderstanding—syllable types. And the most foundational of them all? Open and closed syllables.
Understanding open and closed syllables can unlock reading fluency for kids in Kindergarten, first grade, and beyond. In this article, I’ll walk you through what open and closed syllables are, how they work, how to teach them, and how to give your students repeated, science-backed practice using resources like our Orton-Gillingham Decodable Coloring Stories and full Orton-Gillingham Materials Collection.
What Are Open and Closed Syllables? The Simple Rule That Changes Everything
In the English language, syllables are categorized by how they end—either with a vowel or with a consonant.
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A closed syllable ends in a consonant. The vowel is “closed in,” and it usually says its short sound. Examples: cat, pen, hot, cup, sand.
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An open syllable ends in a vowel. The vowel is “open,” or free, and usually says its long sound (its name). Examples: go, me, hi, she, no.
In multisyllabic words, this rule still applies:
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robot = ro (open) + bot (closed)
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tiger = ti (open) + ger (closed)
This rule is consistent and reliable—when it’s taught explicitly.
Why Open and Closed Syllables Are the First Key to Unlocking Multisyllabic Words
Every long word starts with a single syllable. If students don’t understand how syllables work, they can’t decode longer words.
Here’s what I’ve seen: when a child knows to divide a word into syllables and identify whether each one is open or closed, they stop guessing and start decoding. They know that ba-by has an open first syllable, so the “a” says /ā/. They know that nap-kin is made of two closed syllables, so both vowels are short.
This isn’t just phonics. It’s pattern recognition, word analysis, and reading confidence—all wrapped into one.
The Science of Reading and the Six Syllable Types
The science of reading supports a structured literacy approach, where students are taught phonics skills explicitly and sequentially. One cornerstone of that instruction is understanding the six syllable types:
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Closed
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Open
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Silent-e
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Vowel team
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R-controlled
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Consonant-le
Open and closed syllables are the first two types students should master. They are the building blocks of decoding.
Without understanding these types, students may rely on guessing, picture cues, or memorization. With them, students can decode most single and multisyllabic words with accuracy.
How to Teach Open and Closed Syllables Step-by-Step
Here’s the system I use:
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Start with closed syllables.
Use short CVC words like bat, hop, mud. Emphasize that the vowel is “closed in” by the consonant. -
Introduce open syllables next.
Use words like me, go, hi, she. Explain that the vowel is open and says its name. -
Compare and contrast.
Put go and got side by side. Put me and met on the board. Highlight the role of the final consonant. -
Use syllable division in two-syllable words.
Practice with words like hotel, baby, tiger, napkin, picnic, robot. Mark where each syllable ends. -
Add movement and multisensory activities.
Use arm motions, visual cue cards, or coloring pages to show open vs. closed. -
Provide lots of review.
Use decodable stories and Orton-Gillingham materials that spiral back to these skills regularly.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Teaching Open and Closed Syllables
If you want the rule to stick, avoid these teaching mistakes:
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Teaching both syllables on the same day—kids need time to master closed syllables before comparing.
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Using irregular words early on—start with phonetic, predictable words.
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Skipping explicit explanation—don’t assume kids will figure it out through exposure.
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Not teaching syllable division rules—if students don’t know where to split, they’ll misread the parts.
Instead, be clear, consistent, and visual. And practice in isolation before applying it in real text.
Why Many Kids Struggle Without Syllable Instruction
When kids don’t learn syllable types:
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They stumble on longer words.
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They over-rely on pictures or first letters.
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They decode part of a word and guess the rest.
I’ve seen students go from confused to confident simply by learning to break a word into syllables and identify each as open or closed.
And the truth is, most early reading struggles come down to missed phonics instruction and unclear decoding strategies. Syllable types fix that.
Using Decodable Stories to Reinforce Syllable Types
Once students can recognize open and closed syllables, they need consistent practice to apply the skill.
That’s where our Orton-Gillingham Decodable Coloring Stories come in. These short, phonics-controlled stories focus on specific skills like open and closed syllables while giving students a fun, hands-on way to engage with text.
The coloring element helps students slow down and reflect on the words they’re reading—building both fluency and comprehension.
Classroom Activities to Make Syllables Stick
Want to go beyond worksheets? Try these:
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Syllable Sort: Give students mixed one- and two-syllable words to sort into open and closed categories.
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Word Surgery: Cut up multisyllabic words and label each syllable.
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Syllable Walk: Write open and closed words on cards. Place them around the room. Students walk, read, and sort.
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Color by Syllable Type: Use decodable coloring stories that reinforce vowel patterns.
These activities don’t just drill—they connect the learning to movement, meaning, and memory.
Final Thoughts: Open and Closed Syllables Are the Key to Reading Breakthroughs
There’s no shortcut to fluent reading. But there are reliable steps—and open and closed syllables are the first two.
Teach them explicitly. Practice them systematically. Reinforce them with decodable books and multisensory activities. And watch your students move from guessing to reading with clarity.
Syllable awareness doesn’t just help kids sound out words—it gives them the confidence to tackle any word they meet. And that confidence turns into fluency. Which turns into comprehension. Which turns into a love of reading.
Let’s start at the syllable level. That’s where the breakthrough begins.