Watch what happens when kids know their Heart Words
They stop guessing at words. They write with confidence.
They read faster.
They ask to do it again tomorrow.
This is Nellie Edge’s proven approach to teaching kindergarten sight words. It’s been used in classrooms across the country for more than twenty years. And it works just as beautifully in homes.
What is a Heart Word?
A Heart Word is a high-frequency word children learn so well they know it by heart — not by staring at a flash card, but by singing it, fingerspelling it in American Sign Language, writing it, and using it to say something real as heart-connecting sentences.
The very first word children learn to write and read? love.
The first sentence? “I love you.”
Because “I love you” is the most important sentence in the world.
Each child learns to draw and write simple sentences they can relate to— “I love my mom” or “I like my dog.” With sentences mastered, they can create simple books of their own, an accomplishment they’re thrilled to show off.
Children practice writing-to-read Heart Words and sentences every morning. After a few weeks, writing words becomes automatic and natural — like tying a shoe.
The more they write, the more they read. They move at their own pace. It all grows together and motivation is high. The pride on their faces is something you have to see.
This isn’t memorizing flashcards
Heart Words carry meaning. Kids learn each word four ways at once. They hear it in a song. They see it. They fingerspell it. They write it repeatedly and soon write it in a Heart Word sentence. Every sense gets involved. And when learning is multisensory, it goes deep.
Research on how the brain learns best confirms it: emotional engagement drives memory. When children feel joy and are engaged, learning sticks. Writing-to-read Heart Words motivate young writers.
The writing-to-read Heart Words curriculum
Words are given gradually
Here's the step-by-step process:
Early in the year (September), children take home their first pink set after most words have been introduced in class
Children practice these words nightly at home
Once they demonstrate mastery, they receive the next set. This continues one set at a time
Children always know what they're currently working on and what their goal is. Some children may master all four sets quickly, while others may still be working on the first set.
Introduce one Heart Word at a time
Typically 1–2 new words are introduced each week, and previously learned words are reviewed regularly.
Words are introduced one at a time
Use Sing, Sign, Spell, and Read
They're practiced in handwriting and word work (often on a white board)
Students build fluency with one sentence before moving to another. For example, first "I love you." Then later, "I love my cat."
Children only receive the next set after mastering the previous one.
I absolutely love this program! Integrating handwriting with sight word practice is amazing! Very authentic learning.”
-Jessica H.
Make the learning visible
Heart Words come in four groups — pink, purple, yellow, and green. Each color is a set of words. As soon as a child masters the pink words, they get to work on purple. Then yellow. Then green.
Kids see exactly where they are. They see exactly where they're going. And they can't wait to move up.
Some children move faster with home practice. Others use the word wall for support. All children are expected to spell taught words correctly.
Some children will master all four sets by December. Others need more time. That's okay. There's no race. There's just a clear path, and every child gets to walk it.
Start with the pink Heart Words
This balanced approach builds both confidence and strong writing and reading skills.
Teach them using the joyful, multisensory strategies (Sing, Sign, Spell, Read)
Have students write Heart Word sentences from memory every day
Continue until all students can confidently write 3–4 sentences on their own
Phonics instruction is integrated into everything we do and systematically practiced during writing workshop.
Differentiation happens naturally.
FREE: How to build a Heart Words word wall when space is limited
Turn a magnet-friendly pan into a moveable Heart Word wall students use during writing time.
This guide shows you how to build it and when to add new writing-to-read Heart Words. It includes: ABC recognition chart, speech bubbles and fingerspelling guide.
The Nellie Edge Writing-to-Read Heart Word (Sight Words) Curriculum Bundle includes:
The complete Heart Word curriculum
Masterclass Power Guide with step-by-step teaching support
Sing, Sign, Spell, and Read! MP3 of 34 spelling songs and chants
48 "I Can Read" Anthology pages for daily practice
Two handwriting chants that connect Heart Words to letter formation
Best-practices photo essay on growing kindergarten writers
62 Heart Word templates in pink, purple, yellow, and green
Large fingerspelling word cards and four printable posters
Parents as Partners letters and take-home Heart Word sets
More than 200 pages of printables, templates, and activities
The same visual props Nellie uses in her Masterclass seminars
Available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
One purchase, use it every year.
Kindergarten Writing-to-Read Heart Word Curriculum (aka Sight Word BUNDLE)
Heart Words are the high-frequency words children learn to write and read by heart, starting with "I love you." From that first "I love you," they build: I love … I see … I like … I can … I have … Nellie's action-research shows kindergartners use these 62 words in more than 65% of their writing.
Songs, chants, and fingerspelling help each word stick. Color-coded sets give every child a clear target to celebrate.
