Play these games to teach and reinforce children’s ability to hear the syllable of words.
- Name Game: “I am thinking of someone in our class.” Say their name in syllables: “Ga-bri-el-a. Who am I thinking of?” (Can use during transitions or any time you call names.)
- Mystery Bag or What’s in the Box: Put objects or pictures of objects in the bag or box that differ in the number of syllables. (Big Idea objects or pictures could be used here). Children reach into the bag and name the object they choose. They repeat the name with a hand under their chin to feel the syllable as their mouth moves. Can also use I Spy boxes for this.
- The King’s/Queen’s Command: A child wears the crown. They stand in the center of the circle, give a command and kids do three times with hand under chin to feel the syllable. For example, “Everyone bow.”
- Troll Talk: Once upon a time there was a kind troll who liked to give presents and made people guess before giving them the presents. The troll would say words in a funny way -by syllables! I will say the word and you guess what the present was. Use a low, silly voice to say the words in syllables. Troll Talk can be played during transitions such as snack or use when giving directions – “Please get a pen-cil.”