What term refers to the combined sounds of two or three consonants?

The term that refers to the combined sounds of two or three consonants is consonant blend. A consonant blend occurs when two or three consonant sounds are pronounced together, with each consonant retaining its individual sound. For example, in the word "blend," the "b," "l," "e," "n," and "d" sounds are articulated together without losing their distinctiveness. This characteristic is crucial for developing phonemic awareness in early reading instruction, as it helps students recognize how individual sounds can combine to form words. Understanding consonant blends supports students in decoding and spelling, thereby enhancing their reading skills.