Phonemic Games
The Nature and Importance of Phonemic Awareness
Before children can make any sense of the alphabetic principle, they must understand that those sounds that are paired with the letters are one and the same as the sounds of speech. For those of us who already know how to read and write, this realization seems very basic, almost transparent. Nevertheless, research shows that the very notion that spoken language is made up of sequences of these little sounds does not come naturally or easily to human beings.
The goal of this program is to develop children's linguistic awareness-and, in particular, their phonemic awareness--in a way that cognitively prepares them for learning to read and write. Use these fun language games as an introduction to Phonemic Awareness
Independent Study Phonemic Awareness Activity ~ The Basket Is Loaded with ...
Objective: To teach children to respond quickly without any context.
Materials: Something to toss (ball or beanbag), Basket
Activity:
Seat the child across from you, and make sure you have something to toss, such as a ball or a beanbag. To begin the game, say, "The basket is loaded with cheese." Then toss the ball to them. They must produce a rhyme (e.g., "The basket is loaded with peas") and throw the ball into the basket. Repeating your original rhyme, then toss the ball again to your child. Continue the game in this way until you run out of rhymes. Then begin the game again with new items.
The basket is loaded with cheese. (peas, fleas, trees, bees, keys, etc.)
The basket is loaded with cherries. (berries, fairies, Marys, etc.)
The basket is loaded with mats. (cats, rats, bats, hats, etc.)
The basket is loaded with stars. (cars, bars, jars, cigars, etc.)