Following are a number of simple activities you can do with your child to check their phonemic or sound awareness.  If you notice any difficulty organise a hearing test.

In fact I think all children need to have hearing tests.  Many children have ear infections that can affect hearing. 

Also check eyesight. I have seen numerous children miss out on chunks of their education due to undiagnosed sight issues.

If hearing and sight are OK and your child still has difficulty don’t ignore it as there could be a processing issue and early intervention is necessary to ensure they are not left behind.

Phonemic Awareness Activities

Activity One

‘I Spy With My Little Eye’

I spy with my little eye something beginning with /b/.   (For example:  bath) Say the sound not the name of the letter.

Do this activity in short bursts and often.

Activity Two

Making up Rhymes

I saw a dog bark at a frog.

I saw a frog jump off a log.

I saw a bee fly near a tree.

Encourage your child to contribute.

Activity Three

Beginning Sounds

What sound does this word begin with?

Say a word slowly. For example:  banana.  Ask your child for the beginning sound.

You can also have a number of pictures. Ask the child for the word and then for the beginning sound.

Activity Four

First Sound

Say a number of words beginning with the same sound.

Bat, ball, bin, bike, bun.  Ask what sound do these words begin with.

Activity Five

Rhyming Words

Say a word and ask your child for one that rhymes with it. (For example: house/ mouse)

Activity Six

Last Sound in a Word

Ask the child to say the last sound in a word.

Say a word clearly (for example: trick)

The last sound is /k/ spelt ck

Activity Seven

Middle (Medial) Sounds

What sound do these words have that is the same?

An example:  road, boat, float, robe    Remember this is oral work. The same vowel sound can have different spellings.

Activity Eight

Three Letter Words

Sound out a three letter word:   d-o-g 

Ask the child to give you the word or choose a picture that represents it.

Activity Nine

Sound Boxes

Have the following sets of sound boxes

Set One – 2 boxes drawn side by side

Set Two – Three boxes drawn side by side

Set Three – Three boxes drawn side by side

You will also need 4 counters.

Place the boxes on a table in front of your child.

Place counters below each box. Say a word (for example: at) Ask child to say sounds.

For each sound they push a counter up into the sound box.  

Do the same with words of three and four sounds as well.

 Activity Ten

Have a picture from a picture book or magazine.

Tell your child you will say the name of an object, animal or person in the picture but without its first sound. Ask the child to guess the correct name.   (For example: _ird) 

I hope you enjoy doing these simple activities with your child. Remember they are oral activities.

Make them short and fun without any tension.

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Tags: Alphabetic Principle, kids learning, learn to read, phonemic awareness, reading phonics

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Posted in phonemic awareness by Marilyn Martyn 3 Comments