Which word should be taught first based on the alphabetic principle?

Focusing on the alphabetic principle, which emphasizes the relationship between letters and their corresponding sounds, "cat" is a strong choice for initial teaching. It is a short, three-letter word that consists of simple, phonetic sounds, making it easier for early readers to decode. Each letter in "cat" corresponds to a distinct sound: /k/, /æ/, and /t/, allowing learners to practice blending these sounds together.

The other choices contain either more letters or combinations that may introduce more complex phonetic patterns. For instance, "doghouse" is longer and includes a blend of sounds that might complicate early reading. "Ugly" also includes a vowel combination that could confuse beginner readers. "Should" introduces a silent letter and a more complex structure, making it less suitable as a foundational word for teaching the alphabetic principle. Selecting "cat" provides a straightforward way for students to grasp the basics of letter-sound relationships, which is crucial in their reading development.