The letter M: listen, repeat, and write
Monkey · قِرد
Letter name: إم · Letter sound: مْ /m/
How to say the letter M
Close your lips and hum through your nose: 'mmm'. Like the Arabic meem, and one of the easiest sounds.
In phonics we teach the sound of a letter before its name, because the sound is what the child uses when reading. The name of M is "إم" in Arabic script, but when we read Monkey we hear the sound /m/.
Words that start with M
Tap a word to hear it, then repeat it with your child
Short sentence
The monkey drinks milk under the moon.
القرد يشرب الحليب تحت القمر.
Trace the letter Mm
Write with your finger or mouse over the faded letter, then try the small letter
Letter M worksheets to print
Trace capital M
Dotted tracing rows for capital M with a Monkey picture.
Trace small m
Dotted tracing rows for small m on handwriting lines.
Picture and word
Mm with a Monkey picture and words that start with the letter to read, trace and colour.
Colour the letter M
Big outline capital and small letters to colour with the word Monkey.
Find and circle M
A grid of mixed letters: find capital M and small m and circle them.
Which words start with M?
8 words in English and Arabic: colour the star next to the words that start with the M sound.
Tip for parents and teachers
Start with M in the first session; children succeed instantly and gain confidence. Say 'mmmm' as if tasting something delicious.
What comes after M?
FAQ about the letter M
How is the letter M pronounced?
The letter name is "M". Its reading (phonics) sound is /m/, closest to the Arabic حرف الميم (م). Close your lips and hum through your nose: 'mmm'. Like the Arabic meem, and one of the easiest sounds.
What is the difference between the name and the sound of M?
We use the name when spelling, but the sound is what we hear at the start of Monkey. In phonics we teach the sound first because it is what the child needs to read words.
Which words start with M for kids?
Monkey (قرد), Moon (قمر), Milk (حليب), Mouse (فأر), Map (خريطة). Listen to each one on this page.
How do I teach my child the letter M at home?
Start with M in the first session; children succeed instantly and gain confidence. Say 'mmmm' as if tasting something delicious. Then print the free tracing sheet and write capital M and small m together.