That's why "the" is such a common word in English. If you have a toddler, teach them to read (recognize) the word "the." Then sit down together with a book, reading aloud with your finger running under the words, and pausing to let them read all the "the"s. It'll help them get the connection between print and speech, even if they're still working on the alphabet. And they'll feel powerful.

As a lesson in English, you can explain that even though there's no t, h, or e sound in it, it's pronounced "the" because whenever t and h are together we say (long exaggerated th sound), and it's such an old and common word that we got lazy about saying "ee" and now we just say "uh."

[–] Squeezer 8 points 3 days ago

I taught my daughter to read during covid when the schools were closed. ‘The’ was the first word she learned to read, and I did exactly what you suggest, pausing for her to read it. It really helped. When my workshop reopened I made her a silver badge of the word ‘the’ to celebrate.