Teach Counting Syllables In Kindergarten
Counting syllables is an important pre-reading skill. If your child knows the rules for dividing words into syllables, it may help him/her to read and write more accurately.
A syllable is a single, unbroken sound that is part of a word. you can count the syllables that you hear in a spoken word or show the syllables in a written word. Syllables are often called the beat(s) of a word. Each beat of the words contains a vowel sound. Make sure to check out and download our Sorting Syllables Activity.
How do you train your child’s ear to hear and understand syllables?
1. Counting Syllables with Chin Bumps
Ask your child to place his hand under his/her chin. What happens when a word is spoken? Your child should notice that the chin bumps into the hand. This occurs when a part of the word with a vowel is spoken. It’s a syllable! What a great way for kids to learn about syllables. Try it! (e.g. man; dog; ti-ger; di-no-saur; el-e-phant) Count how many syllables are in each word.
2. Play Clapping Games
Clap the syllables. If extra support is needed, try this sequence. 1. Say, “Listen.” Then you say “tiger; ti-ger” (You say the word then clap the syllables) 2.Repeat the same word after you say “Together.” (The children say the word and model your clapping pattern.) 3. The children say the word independently. Say, “By yourself.” (The children say the words and then clap the beats of the word without instructor support.)
Make sure to check this port Open Syllables and Closed Syllables. With Engaging Activities
3. Punch it Out!
Stand in a boxing stance. The teacher calls out a word. (i.e., dinosaur). The teacher and class repeat the word together and then say it slowly. ( i.e., dinosaur; di-no-saur) Punch in front of you for each syllable you say/hear.
4. Slap your thighs to the beat of the word! Count the Syllables.
Say a word. Repeat the word and break it into syllables. Stand with your hands facing your thighs. Slap both thighs as you break the word into syllables. Slap the beats of the word. Challenge – Can you do this as pictured?
Differentiated Instruction
We are all different! Differentiated instruction is changing instruction based on the individual needs of your students. You may present an activity to all of the kids but in different ways. Some children require more teacher modeling of a task or extra practice to fill in the gaps. Some kids benefit from small group instruction or working with a friend. And, there are kids who may need more challenging material or less support in the learning process. The teachers are amazing because they try to keep the needs of each and every student in mind.
Learners Who Face a Challenge Counting Syllables
Learning about syllables is an auditory task. Struggling readers, second-language students, and younger children may need the extra support provided by visual cues. Learning involves teacher modeling and practicing counting syllables with fun activities! Use picture sorts to help these learners hear the syllables and develop confidence and understanding. Other hands-on learning activities like this Counting syllables Freebie can also be helpful. Make sure that each learner is provided the support and encouragement that is needed.
Better Memory for Sounds
Children with a good memory for sounds find it easier to sequence the sound in longer words. The kids who catch on quickly may be ready for oral syllable activities that involve Isolating, Blending, Segmenting, Counting, and Deleting. Kindergarten and grade one kids will have fun learning phonological awareness skills as they play games and complete syllable activities.
I Understand the Syllables. Let’s Print the Words!
More advanced students may enjoy adding print connections to the auditory task. Challenge: Say the word. Say it slowly. Print the sounds to spell the word! Using the sounds that have been taught, is your child ready to print the missing syllable or syllables?
Syllables are often considered the phonological “building blocks” of words. Initially, children may look at a longer word and consider it too difficult to read or spell. They learn to chunk words into manageable parts. Being familiar with basic oral and then written syllable-spelling conventions will help children gain confidence and attain greater accuracy and fluency as they learn to decode (spell) and blend (read) unfamiliar words.
Great ideas! I see some are ready to go, but I don’t have time to create some of these games and activities!
If you don’t have time to make resources or just like things ready to go…. you might find one of these ready-to-go products helpful. ???
Looking for more information about Open and Closed syllables? Check these articles. Some include free downloads too.
