A phonics lesson for kindergarteners
A Phonics Lesson for Kindergarteners—5 Games
by Mary Follin
If you’re looking for a phonics lesson for kindergarteners, begin with phonemic awareness. For starters, simply reviewing the sounds of the individual letters with your child will give them a significant head start in their reading skills.
And if you are going to review the sounds of each letter with them, please keep it short—no more than 5 minutes a day. Most kids have fun with this, but it can get repetitive, so always leave them wanting more.
Sometimes it’s helpful to integrate learning into other modalities: body movements, tongue twisters, scavenger hunts—you get the picture!
A phonics lesson for kindergarteners should be engaging and fun, and if you’re turning it into a game, you’ve got more time to work with—probably about 20 minutes, depending on your child’s attention span.
A phonics lesson for kindergarteners can be fun!
Why Phonemic Awareness—or ‘Hearing Sounds’—Matters for Little Readers
Phonemic awareness is all about being able to hear and play around with the different sounds in words. For children who are newbies to the world of reading, getting the hang of phonemic awareness sets them up for reading success long before formal reading lessons begin.
GETTING READY FOR PHONICS FUN
Before we begin matching letters to sounds, your child needs to grasp the idea that words are made up of sounds. That’s where phonemic awareness becomes the warm-up act, setting the stage for the main event, which is phonics instruction.
SUPER READING SKILLS
When your kiddo develops a solid grasp of phonemic awareness, learning to read is much easier. Decoding words becomes a breeze because your child can break down words into sounds. This not only makes reading smoother but also boosts their understanding of what they’re reading.
SPELLING LIKE A PRO
Phonemic awareness isn’t just about reading; it’s also the secret sauce for spelling success. Knowing the individual sounds of individual letters and letter patterns helps little spellers put words together the correct way.
WORDS ARE FRIENDS
Beyond reading and spelling, phonemic awareness is like rocket fuel for language and vocabulary development. You might notice your child becoming a language detective, picking up on all the cool sounds and quirks of words. This not only helps them understand what they read but also helps them with verbal expression.
EARLY HELP FOR READING ISSUES
By focusing on phonemic awareness at an early age, it’s easy to spot reading challenges your child might face. Through early intervention, you can help your child down the path of reading success from the get-go.
Here are 5 fun activities, each of which is actually a phonics lesson for kindergarteners that promotes phonemic awareness.
These 5 activities will get you started! Once you get used to noticing sounds and pointing them out to your child, will have no trouble coming up with a phonics lesson for kindergarteners on your own.
1. Start by choosing a ‘sound of the day’ and draw it on posterboard for reference throughout the day. Then ask your child to find 10 items in the room that begin with that sound. Throughout the day, point out objects that begin with the ‘sound of the day.’
2. Create a scavenger hunt. Hide 10 objects that begin with the ‘sound of the day.’ Create clues to read aloud to your child, using the ‘sound of the day’ as many times as you can. For example: “The blue ball is hiding where Baby Bobby sleeps. B-b-b-b.” (Be sure and repeat the sound at the end of each clue.)
3. Make up songs that use the ‘sound of the day.’ “Baby Bobby has a blanket. Baby Bobby has a ball. Baby Bobby blows bubbles!” Make up a silly tune, and practice the song with your child, emphasizing the sound of the letter ‘b’ each time.
4. With colored chalk, draw pictures with your child on the sidewalk, driveway, or blacktop of items that start with the ‘sound of the day.’ Let your child think of the item, then draw it.
5. Pick a variety of words that have repetitive sounds in them. Ask your child to draw the letter that corresponds with the sound in the air (lower case), and then act out the words or make up a dance. Here are some words to get you started: Buzzing Bumble Bee, Silly Sister Sally, Running Round Rose (or Ring-a-round the Rosy!), Goofy Galloping Gary, Merry-Making Melanie, Lazy Little Lizard, Darling Dancing Dog…be creative! Be sure to emphasize the sound in the letter
Phonemic awareness is the secret ingredient that makes phonics lessons for kindergarteners a blast—and easy. By tuning into sounds and sound patterns in words, you’re setting your little reader up for a future filled with confident reading, strong spelling skills, and a mastery of the English language. Be sure to start your child off on the right road to reading by making phonemic awareness part of your everyday activities!
Frequently Asked Questions for Parents:
What are phonics lessons?
Phonics lessons teach children the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent. They help children learn how to decode words and improve their reading skills.
Why are phonics lessons important for kindergarteners?
Phonics lessons are crucial for developing early reading skills. They help children understand how to sound out words, leading to better reading fluency and comprehension.
At what age should my child start phonics lessons?
Children can start phonics lessons as early as 3 or 4 years old, typically when they begin kindergarten. Early exposure helps build a strong foundation for reading.
How often should my child have phonics lessons?
Daily practice is ideal for phonics lessons. Consistent, short sessions (15-20 minutes) are more effective than less frequent, longer sessions. Lessons in Teach Your Child to Read™ are only 5 minutes a day.
What are some effective phonics teaching methods?
Popular methods include synthetic phonics, analytic phonics, and phonics through spelling. Interactive activities, games, and multisensory approaches are also effective.
How can I support my child’s phonics learning at home?
Reading together daily, playing phonics games, and practicing letter sounds and blends can reinforce what your child learns in phonics lessons.
What resources are available for phonics lessons?
There are many resources available, including books, online programs, educational apps, and printable worksheets. Teachers and librarians can also provide recommendations.
How can I tell if my child is progressing in phonics?
Progress can be seen through improved reading fluency, the ability to decode new words, and increased confidence in reading. Teachers can provide regular assessments and feedback.
Can phonics lessons help with other language skills?
Yes, phonics lessons can enhance spelling, writing, and overall language comprehension. They provide a strong foundation for literacy development.
How can I make phonics lessons fun for my child?
Incorporate games, songs, and interactive activities to make learning enjoyable. Using colorful materials and rewards can also keep your child motivated.
What is the difference between phonics and phonemic awareness?
Phonics involves the relationship between letters and sounds, while phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words.
Need a Phonics Lesson for Kindergarteners? Try Our Phonics Program to Teach Your Kindergartener to Read!
Founder and creator of Teach Your Child to Read, Mary Follin was a systems engineer with IBM early in her career. Since then, she has worked for companies in a variety of industries: product development, market research, and other professional services firms. She also wrote Ethyr, winner of the the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award and the Gertrude Warner Book Award. Mary currently writes, together with Erika Guerrero, a column titled ASK MOM, an advice column featured every other Friday in Fredericksburg Parent & Family magazine. ASK MOM won a 2021 Parenting Media Association award.