Sting their tails and sting their heads. Highlight the short vowels in the rest of the text. Parents notes If the child can't read the text, read it and let the child listen to each word. So it is not highlighted as a short vowel sound. Tell the child that it is an akward word.
Young children like to think of awkward words as naughty words.
Before reading text with awkward words in a younger child can be told that there is an awkward word trying to catch them out. It becomes a game then instead of a failure. Encourage them to highlight awkward words in text. Through blurred eyes he saw the tufts of grass spilling up between the small flat stones. The sweat trickled down the sides of this face and chest.