The Preschooler

Seeing Syllables

In many elementary classrooms, it is very common to see children clapping out the syllables of words.  This is a wonderful way to help children physically experience syllables which can often be difficult for children to master because you can’t really “see” the syllables.  Instead, young children must learn to listen carefully, which, for many children, is extremely challenging because their listening skills are still being honed.

You can try out your own version of this activity at home by helping your child “see” the syllables using a simple flashlight.  Instead of having your child clap each time you say a syllable together, for example, “banana” (ba/na/na) would have three claps, help your child turn a flashlight on and off one time for each syllable.

This can be a terrific activity during the winter when the sun sinks below the horizon early in the evening or as part of a bedtime routine.  Be sure to choose both short and long words, and allow your child to select words as well.  Names are a great place to start, and keeping a list of words in your child’s sock drawer can help keep the game flowing since thinking of words with several syllables can be tricky when you try to do it on the fly.

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Written by BRWI Staff on October 19, 2009