The basic code sounds are comprised mostly of words with one letter one sound correspondence. The word ‘cat’ has 3 letters and each letter represents one sound – /c/ /a/ /t/. Cat has 3 sounds that once blended form the word ‘cat’.
If a child, four years old or older, needs practice blending sounds then you can practice this skill by playing a blending game. You practice with the child by using magnetic letters or little paper squares with the letters on them. Show the child how you blend the sounds of the word ‘cat’ by moving the letters closer together while you make the sounds. The child can manipulate and make the sounds as he/she forms the word. To make it easier draw 3 lines on a little white board or on a piece of paper to place each sound/letter on each line while blending sounds.
| c | a | t |
__C___ __a__ __t__ c a t cat
The Blending Game
The game is supposed to be casual and fun to play. It’s perfect for car trips and “I spy “games.
*Tell the child you’re going to play a sound blending game. (if the child has seen you make a smoothie, or blend something in the kitchen, the child knows what blending means).
*Think of a 3-sound word (cat, dog, map, mat, etc). Say the sounds in a segmented manner /c//a/ /t/; that is, /c/pause /a/pause /t/.
*Ask the child to guess the word
Sometimes the child may confuse one of the sounds. You said, ‘cat’ and the child heard ‘cot’. Then repeat the sounds and stretch out the one that was wrong. Now you say, “/c/ /aaa/ /t/.
Before long, the child will be the “segmenter” and you will be guessing her/his words.
Finding Sounds Around Us
This is also a fun game to play when you are out and about. It encourages the child to think about sounds in words. It’s good practice for identifying the first sound in a word.
This is an oral game. No need for sound pictures a.k.a letters. As before practice at home at the work table you use to teach the child. Once the child understands what you mean and is successful than she/he is ready.
*As in the game before, tell the child you’re going to play a sound game.
*Tell the child you are thinking of an animal. Tell her the first sound you hear in this animal’s name is /p/. [You can choose any category in the child’s vocabulary ; fruits, shapes…]
*Ask the child to guess what animal you’re thinking of.
If the child guesses a word that doesn’t start with the /p/ sound, then say, “The first sound in __(whatever word the child said) is __. The first sound in the animal I’m thinking of is /p/. The child has the opportunity to hear both sounds and choose the appropriate one.
Soon the child will be thinking of words and have you guess their first sounds.
The websites below are great for games and resources on this topic
Source:
Reading Reflex by Carmen and Geoffrey McGuinness.
Resources:
www.kizclub.com
www.starfall.com
www.readinga-z.com
With Love and Gratitude,
Alda