Phonological Awareness Level 1
As soon as a child can speak fairly well, it is a good time to begin phonological awareness training. Children as young as 2 1/2 or 3 years old can participate in Level 1 activities successfully. They may pick up the skills at a slower pace than an older child will, but they can develop a strong foundation at a young age that will set the stage for reading and writing success. And they can enjoy the process!
Following is a list of skills for Level 1, with sub-skills for each. A good goal is for children to master these skills before entering kindergarten.
Listening Skills
Sound/no
sound- Rhythms
- Sound attributes (fast/slow, loud/soft)
- 1 step, 2 step, 3 step instructions
Order
- First/last
- First/middle/last
Sentences and Words
- Blending and segmenting
- Awareness of order
Rhyming
- Recognizing rhymes
- Following a model
- Independently making rhymes
Syllables (See the video below for an example of how to teach syllables.)
- Blending syllables
- segmenting syllables
Onset and Rime
- Blending onset and rime
- Segmenting onset and rime
Ideas for developing these skills:
- Clapping rhythms
- Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar
- Musical Chairs
- Read nursery rhymes and other rhyming books
- Break words apart into syllables as you set the table, shop at the store, etc.
- Break names apart into onset and rime. Encourage the child to tell you whose name you are saying.
You will find more information on phonological and phonemic awareness on our level 2 and level 3 pages.
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