Author: Mickie Stiers

Phonological Awareness

List of Materials for Phonological Awareness Grab And Go Station
Materials:
Detergent lids, duct tape, rice or dried beans
Wooden spoons or paint stirrers
Bag or box with items highlighting a letter sound along with other items that do not.
Music:
Wee sing and play
Singable songs for the very young by Raffi
We all live together by Greg & Steve
Any other children’s music CDs, especially featuring the song “Head and Shoulders.”
Books:
Baker, Keith. Big fat hen.
Cabrera, Jane. If you’re happy and you know it!
Dewdney, Anna. Llama, llama red pajama.
Guarino, Deborah. Is your mama a llama?
Opie, Iona. Here comes Mother Goose.
Yolen, Jane. How do dinosaurs say goodnight?
Or any other books that include Mother Goose/nursery rhymes; rhyming text; songs; poetry; alliteration or other sound play.

Phonological Awareness

Babies
Nursery rhymes:
Being able to hear the beginning and ending sounds that make up words will help children sound out words when they begin to read.
Activity #1: Babies love to bounce! Say this fun rhyme while bouncing Baby on your knees:
Trit, trot to Boston,
Trit, trot to Lynn.
Take care, baby,
Don’t fall in!
(Part knees, and gently let baby slip between while holding her.)

Phonological Awareness

Babies
Music:
Singing songs and doing fun activities to music helps Baby begin to hear the small sounds in words.
Activity #2:
Listen to popular children’s song “Head and Shoulders” (available on many children’s music CDs), and help Baby touch each of the body parts mentioned in the song.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes, knees and toes.
Eyes, ears, mouth and nose.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes.

Phonological Awareness

Toddlers
Activity 1
Nursery Rhymes:
Being able to hear the beginning and ending sounds that make up words will help children sound out words when they begin to read.
Read the book Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker, and try the fingerplay with your toddler.
One, two, buckle my shoe. (touch shoe)
Three, four, shut the door. (big clap)
Five, six, pick up sticks. (pretend to pick up sticks)
Seven, eight, lay them straight. (pretend to lay objects in a row)
Nine, ten, big fat hen! (open arms wide)

Phonological Awareness

Toddlers
Activity 2
Music: Singing songs and doing fun activities to music helps your toddler begin to hear the small sounds in words.
Make shakers from two plastic detergent lids duct taped together with rice or dried beans inside, and use wooden spoons or paint sticks to accompany music as you sing along to favorite children’s songs. Some of favorite children’s CDs include:
Wee Sing and Play, Singable Songs for the Very Young by Raffi, and We All Live Together by Greg & Steve

Phonological Awareness

Preschoolers
Activity 1
Rhyme Time: Rhymes help children develop an ear for language. Their predictable patterns help children when they start to read.
Activity: The Rhyme with Me Game.
(To the tune of “Row Your Boat.”)
Rhyme, rhyme, rhyme along,
Rhyme along with me.
Small and ball are rhyming words, [or whatever two words you are rhyming]
Now rhyme along with me.

Phonological Awareness

Preschoolers
Activity # 2
Playing with sounds: Hearing the beginning letter sounds in words helps children as they learn to read.
Play “Sound in a bag.” Put some items in a bag or box, some of which start with a certain letter sound, such as /p/ (pa). As you pull out each item, ask your child if it starts with the letter sound /p/. You can also use pictures of objects. Continue the game by looking for objects starting with that letter sound around the house, at the grocery, at preschool, or anyplace you go together.