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15 Helpful Activities for Counting Syllables

Counting syllables is an important pre-reading skill. If your child knows the rules for dividing words into syllables, it may help him/her to read and write more accurately. Reading is complicated!

A syllable is a single, unbroken sound that is part of a word. You can count the syllables you hear in a spoken word or show the syllables in a written word. Syllables are often called the beat(s) of a word. Each beat of the words contains a vowel sound.

How do you train your child’s ear to hear and understand syllables?

1. Counting Syllables with Chin Bumps

Ask your child to place his or her hand under his/her chin. What happens when a word is spoken? Your child should notice that the chin bumps into the hand. This occurs when a part of the word with a vowel is spoken. It’s a syllable! What a great way for kids to learn about syllables. Try it! (e.g. man; dog; ti-ger; di-no-saur; el-e-phant) Count how many syllables are in each word.

2. Play Clapping Games

Clap the syllables. If extra support is needed, try this sequence. 1. Say, “Listen.” Then you say “tiger; ti-ger” (You say the word then clap the syllables) 2. Repeat the same word after you say “Together.” (The children say the word and model your clapping pattern.) 3. The children say the word independently. Say, “By yourself.” (The children say the words and then clap the beats of the word without instructor support.)

3. Punch it Out!

Stand in a boxing stance. The teacher calls out a word. (i.e., dinosaur). The teacher and class repeat the word together and then say it slowly. ( i.e., dinosaur; di-no-saur) Punch in front of you for each syllable you say/hear.

4. Slap your thighs to the beat of the word! Count the Syllables.

Say a word. Repeat the word and break it into syllables. Stand with your hands facing your thighs. Slap both thighs as you break the word into syllables. Slap the beats of the word. Challenge – Can you do this as pictured?

5. Kick it Up!

Use alternating legs and kick each syllable!

6. Jump Around. How many syllables can you jump?

Jump to the beat of each syllable.

7. Drumming Out Syllables

Use a drum or tambourine (or pan!) to beat the sounds in your name, the school’s name, a Nursery Rhyme, or a favorite tune!

8. Mirror Fun

Stand in front of a mirror. Watch your mouth move as you say each syllable. What happens?

9. Use a Graphic of 3-5 Empty Shapes (often referred to as sound boxes or Elkonin Boxes) to Count Syllables

As in the picture below, draw 5 box shapes. As each syllable is spoken, place a marker into each box. How many syllables were in the word?

10. Picture Sorts

Use sorting mats. How many syllables are in each word? Look at a picture and say the word. Now, say the word slowly. How many syllables do you hear? Place the picture under the correct number.

11. Re-arrange Syllables

Print a word on a Post-It Note. Cut the word into syllables. Place the syllables on a board and ask the kids to re-arrange them!

12. Mix-it Up!

Play with words! MIx-up compound words. Use two compound words. Divide them into syllables. Change the word! (e.g., bath-tub, flash-light…. You might get flashtub or bathlight!) Draw a picture to show your work. Giggle. Have fun!

13. Sorting Mats

Use sorting mats. How many syllables are in each word? Look at a picture and say the word. Now say the word slowly. How many syllables do you hear? Place the picture under the correct number.

14. Syllable Completion

Connect the spoken word to print. Create a picture and word card. Divide the word into syllables. Cut the card between each syllable. Fold all syllables behind the card. Say the syllables as you unfold them. Say the whole word.

15. Robot Speak

Differentiated Instruction

We are all different! Differentiated instruction is changing instruction based on the individual needs of your students. You may present an activity to all of the kids but in different ways. Some children require more teacher modeling of a task or extra practice to fill in the gaps. Some kids benefit from small group instruction or working with a friend. And some kids may need more challenging material or less support in the learning process. Teachers are amazing because they try to keep every student’s needs in mind.

Learners Who Face a Challenge Counting Syllables

Learning about syllables is an auditory task. Struggling readers, second-language students, and younger children may need the extra support visual cues provide. Learning involves teacher modeling and practice counting syllables with fun activities! Use picture sorts to help these learners hear the syllables and develop confidence and understanding. Other hands-on learning activities like Peg-it Cards for counting syllables can also be helpful. Make sure that each learner is provided the support and encouragement that is needed.

Good Memory for Sounds

Children with a good memory for sounds find it easier to sequence the sound in longer words. The kids who catch on quickly may be ready for oral syllable activities that involve Isolating, Blending, Segmenting, Counting, and Deleting. Kindergarten and grade one kids will have fun learning phonological awareness skills as they play games and complete syllable activities.

I Understand Syllables. Let’s Print the Words!

More advanced students may enjoy adding print connections to the auditory task. Challenge: Say the word. Say it slowly. Print the sounds to spell the word! Using the sounds that have been taught, is your child ready to print the missing syllable or syllables?

Syllables are often considered the phonological “building blocks” of words. Initially, children may look at a longer word and consider it too difficult to read or spell. They learn to chunk words into manageable parts. Being familiar with basic oral and then written syllable-spelling conventions will help children gain confidence and attain greater accuracy and fluency as they learn to decode (spell) and blend (read) unfamiliar words.

Great ideas! I see some are ready-to-go but, I don’t have time to create some of these games and activities!

If you don’t have time to make resources or just like things ready to go… you might find one of these ready-to-go products helpful.

Titles:

• How Many Syllables? Peg-it
• Use sorting mats with Syllable Sort
• Count and find the syllables with Syllable Fun
• Fill in the missing syllables with Syllable Completion
• Blend and segment syllables with Syllable Work

PLEASE NOTE: The resources are available in Print Letters or Sassoon Font

Have fun! Keep active and engaged in the learning process.

Teach. Play. Learn.

Laurie