What is a consonant digraph?

A consonant digraph is defined as two consonants that combine to form a single sound different from the individual sounds of each consonant. This means that when these two consonants are placed together, they produce a new phonetic output. For example, the letters 'sh' in words like "shoes" or 'ch' in "chair" illustrate how two consonants merge to create a unique sound.

This concept is crucial in phonics instruction and literacy development, particularly in Montessori education, as it aids children in decoding words and enhancing their reading fluency. Understanding consonant digraphs allows learners to read more effectively by recognizing that certain letter combinations yield distinct phonemes, which is a foundational aspect of language acquisition.