The Preschooler

Beginning Letter Sounds

As children are learning the sounds that letters make, it is always a good idea to make a connection between letter sounds and how they are used in forming words.  The easiest place for youngsters to identify letters sounds is at the beginning.  Here is an easy game you can play with your child that doesn’t require any materials and can be played almost anywhere.

Ask your child, “What letter do you hear at the beginning of the word ’sock’?”  (Be sure to really stress the ’s’ sound.)  When your child answers, ’s’, praise her, and then give her the directions for the game as follows:

“I will say a list of words that all start with the same sounds.  When you know which letter makes that sound, shout it out.”

Then, say a list of words that all start with the letter ’s’, such as “sock, scissor, sing, sound, sink”, etc.  Continue with the list until your child identifies the correct beginning sound. 

You can also switch roles, and let your child make up the list of words.  You can also name a letter for your child, and have him make up a list of words that begin with that letter.  Play the games as long as they hold your child’s attention.

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Written by BRWI Staff on March 23, 2011