Learning Letter Sounds, and Listening

An important reading readiness skill that gets less attention than reading out loud to children is letter sound identification.

B says "b" like in boat

   Besides knowing the names of the letters in the alphabet (A,B,C), children need to know the sounds individual letters make such as B says “b”, like in bat, and H says “h”, like in home. Families can help reinforce skills at home by being aware and making little games at home, waiting, and traveling. 
Letter Sounds Before Names 
The ability to hear separate letter sounds in a word is necessary for decoding (sounding out) when reading or spelling. Struggling readers often cannot hear all of the sounds in words, like when we say “cat”. Children may not distinguish the C as “k”, the A as “a” as in apple and the T as “t” as in tip.
Once children can hear the difference between sounds, they can pair the sounds with the visual letter. This is a stepping-stone to early reading development in young children.      
I Spy, I Hear 
 What else can families do to help children develop these readiness literacy skills? I Spy-I Hear is a game to help develop critical listening skills in beginning readers.

   Start by finding objects that begin with a sound you want to practice. Make a guessing game out of locating the object, a toy dog, for example. Give oral clues like, “I spy something that has the first sound, “d.” Youngsters might guess doll, do

nut, or dog. Praise them for each correct sound. “You are right, doll begins with “d.” Then have them name another object you both can see.  “Yes, dog, dog begins with “d.” Repeat this with four or five other sounds. Beginning consonant letter sounds need to be recognized first.

I spy something that has the first sound "b"

Next, ask questions like, "What is the first sound you hear in ball? They should answer, "I hear “b.” If they answer the letter name instead, say, “Yes, that is the letter name.” Hold your hand to your ear and ask, “What sound do you hear?”  When they understand, have children tell you another object that begins with the same sound. They should say, “Bat has the same first sound as ball."
  As they successfully progress try putting three objects together that begin with the same sound. Ask your children to say the first sound that begins all the objects. They might answer, "bat, ball and button all have the same first sound, “b."
  Try having two like sounds and one different. Can your children tell you which one does not start with the same sound (bat, ball, car)? Are they able to determine which one does not belong? If a child is strong at this, move on to separating sounds in words they can sound out like bat, cat, mat, or sat. -- More is coming soon.

Photos: fdarling fotos, Fran Darling

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest