Finding time for educational activities can be challenging, especially when you're constantly on the move. However, fostering phonemic awarenessβthe ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds in spoken wordsβis crucial for developing strong literacy skills. Fortunately, there are plenty of on-the-go phonemic awareness activities that can seamlessly fit into your busy schedule as a parent or educator. In this blog post, we'll explore some engaging and effective ways to practice phonemic awareness skills on the go.
Clapping Syllables
Turn any word into a rhythmic experience by clapping out the syllables. This can be done while waiting for public transportation, during a quick break, or even at the dinner table. Just look around and name something you see. Have your child repeat the word, then clap out how many syllables you hear. Counting syllables helps build an understanding of the structure of words and even become better spellers.
Rhyme Time Road Trip
Turn your car rides into a phonemic adventure by playing Rhyme Time Road Trip. Choose a word, and have everyone take turns coming up with words that rhyme. This not only sharpens phonological awareness, by practicing rhyming but also adds an element of fun to your travel.
Alphabet I Spy
You can play “I Spy” with more than just looking for colors! Challenge your child to find objects or signs that start with each letter of the alphabet. For example, “I spy with my little eye, something that starts with the ‘b' sound.” Whether you're walking in the park or waiting in line, this activity encourages phonemic awareness by focusing on initial sounds and letter recognition.
“I'm Thinking of a Word…” Oral Blending Practice
Another way to practice a more advanced phonemic awareness skill is to play βI'm thinking of a wordβ to practice blending skills. Oral blending is the first step for kids learning how to read. Before they can look at a word to sound it out, they must be able to first hear the sounds and blend them together to say the word. To play, you can say, βI'm thinking of a word, can you guess what it is?β Then say each sound of a short CVC word with a break in between each one. For example, β/h/ /a/ /t/β. Your child will have to repeat the sounds, and then say the word together.
Sound Seekers Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of sounds or phonemes, and challenge your child to find items that make those sounds. For example, ask them to find something that starts with the /b/ sound or an object that ends with the /k/ sound. This interactive scavenger hunt keeps kids engaged while honing their phonemic skills.
You can print out these scavenger hunt pages to take with you next time you go to the grocery store or go on a road trip! They can either write the word or draw a picture. At home, they can use magazines to cut out pictures. There are plenty of options for any age and skill level for all of your kids to participate.
Silly Sentences with Phonemic Awareness Skills
If you have an older child, this is a fun game that really makes them think and practice multiple phonemic awareness skills. Starting with a random letter of the alphabet, each person will say a sentence, incorporating a specific phoneme. It's more fun if you make it a silly sentence. For example, with the letter M, the sentence may be, “Miss. Marvel makes a meatball on Mars.” You can challenge your child to use harder phonics skills like long vowels or blends. Using rhyming words is another skill you can practice. These silly sentences not only foster phonemic awareness but also spark creativity along with a laugh!
Looking for More Ideas to Practice Phonemic Awareness On-the-Go?
Make sure you check out my podcast interview with Chanty Macias on the Preschool Made Easy podcast for even more on-the-go literacy ideas! Listen here: Fun and Simple Literacy-Building Activities
Incorporating on-the-go phonemic awareness activities into your daily routine can make a significant impact on your child's literacy development. By making everyday moments a chance to learn, you can help your child develop a passion for language and build a solid base for reading and writing skills. Parents can do so much at home to help their children with phonics skills! So, the next time you find yourself on the go, and your kids are starting to get bored, try one of these phonemic awareness activities!
