Why We Don’t Skip the “Silly Words”: Decoding Nonsense Words with Purpose
😜 Made-Up Words Have a Real Role in Reading Instruction
Words like zog, mip, and vax might sound silly—but to a developing reader, they’re a powerful tool for strengthening decoding skills.
In this post, you’ll learn why nonsense words (also called pseudo-words) are more than just playful exercises. You’ll see how they help identify gaps in phonics knowledge, promote true decoding, and build confident, flexible readers.
🧠 What Are Nonsense Words?
Nonsense words are made-up words that follow phonics rules but don’t have real meanings. Think:
tib
bem
doke
mup
They look and sound like real words—but they’re unfamiliar on purpose, which forces students to decode rather than rely on memory or guessing.
🧪 Why Use Nonsense Words?
They test true decoding ability
Since nonsense words can’t be memorized, students must use letter-sound knowledge to read them correctly.They reveal phonics gaps
Struggles with nonsense words often indicate where a student needs more support (e.g., missing short vowels or silent e rules).They improve word attack skills
Nonsense word practice trains the brain to break down and reconstruct new words—an essential skill for tackling multisyllabic or unfamiliar vocabulary later on.They help with orthographic mapping
Practicing sound-symbol relationships with both real and pseudo-words helps develop automatic word recognition.
📅 When Should You Use Them?
Nonsense words are best introduced after students have been taught a specific phonics pattern, such as:
CVC words
Digraphs
Silent e
Blends
For example, after teaching short a words, you might give students saf, lat, or cam to decode.
✏️ How to Practice Nonsense Words
Sound it out: Have students tap out the sounds as they would with real words
Blend and read: Encourage smooth blending, even if the word sounds silly
Sort: Mix nonsense and real words in a list and sort them
Race: Use flashcards to time how many nonsense words they can decode in 1 minute
Highlight the pattern: Focus on one skill per set (e.g., short i, or silent e)
🧠 What Nonsense Words Teach You as an Educator
If a student reads cat perfectly but struggles with lat, it might mean they’re memorizing familiar words instead of applying phonics rules. Nonsense word fluency helps diagnose reading habits, especially in RTI and intervention settings.
You can also spot:
Guessing behavior
Weak blending skills
Inconsistent vowel sounds
Dependence on context cues (which nonsense words remove)
🔁 Final Thought: Sometimes “Fake” Words Lead to Real Progress
Nonsense words might not show up in real books, but the decoding skills they build will. By using them strategically, you help students internalize phonics patterns and become readers who can tackle anything on the page—even the unfamiliar.
