What term describes the sounds associated with letters such as in “apple” and “octopus”?

The term that describes the sounds associated with letters in "apple" and "octopus" is short vowel sounds. In these examples, the vowels 'a' and 'o' are pronounced with their short sounds, which are distinct and recognizable in these words. Short vowel sounds typically occur in closed syllables, where the vowel is followed by a consonant.

Understanding short vowel sounds is essential in phonics instruction and reading development as they are foundational to decoding words. Recognizing these sounds enables learners to read and pronounce a wide range of words accurately.