3 Free Sound Games

 
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I get a lot of questions from parents asking how to practice sounds (phonological and phonemic awareness). The best way is through playing games! We will have greater success with our littles when we keep learning relaxed and natural. These sound games are accessible to everyone and there is no need to over-complicate them.Here are some examples:

  • Lay 5-12 objects on the rug and say “I’m thinking of something that starts with the sound /s/ sound, sss" and see if your little can identify the object. Feel free to give them some hints so they can feel successful. Continue until all the objects have been identified. Then mix it up and try again.

  • When you’re driving or walking somewhere, try playing a variation of the I Spy game. Say “I’m looking at something that starts with the ‘mmmm’ sound." As your little gets better with their sounds, switch roles and you guess!

  • Go on a sound hunt. Take a basket and walk around the house looking for objects that start with a particular sound. “Let’s find things that begin with the /b/ sound, like this /b/ /b/ - ball. You can also incorporate some counting, "Let's find four things that begin with the /f/ sound."

As your child masters initial (beginning) sounds, play these games practicing the ending sounds of objects. For example, “I’m looking at something on the rug that ends with /t/ sound." For beginners, consider trying this with items that begin with the same sound so the child can more easily discriminate the ending sound of each object.Reminder: As with all phonemic awareness activities, we are practicing sounds, not letter names. Letters inside brackets represent the sound, such as /k/ /a/ /t/ = cat.Want to learn more about the importance of phonological awareness and have access to 75 simple, yet powerful activities I use during reading intervention? Check out my All About Sounds course!

Be sure to also check out my Connect 4 Phonics Game! Phonics is not a particularly fun or exciting subject. That’s why I created 90 phonics-based Connect 4 game boards to reinforce critical skills with children on their reading journey.

Early LearningLiteracy