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Phonological Awareness
With your support, preschoolers are developing their ability to work with sounds in words
At A Glance
Phonological awareness is our ability to hear and work with sounds in words. Preschoolers can learn these skills during fun, engaging activities such as stories, songs, and word games. We can support children’s development of phonological awareness skills by identifying and playing with sounds in words.
What It Looks Like
A quick glance at ways you can support preschoolers' phonological awareness skills
Ask Questions about Sounds
Present children with a set of words and prompt them to consider the similarities and differences of the initial sounds in words, like this educator does.
Identify Parts of Words
Draw attention to syllables or the smaller parts of words. Notice how this educator asks the children to listen and count the number of syllables in their names.
Encourage Children to Rhyme
Prompt children to come up with words that rhyme with other words, like this educator does in a fun game. When a child suggests a rhyming word, the educator repeats their word while emphasizing the ending sound.
SUPPORTING PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS SKILLS THROUGH BOOKS
Sheep in a Jeep
Written by Nancy Shaw and illustrated by Margot Apple, this book uses pairs of rhyming words to tell a silly story about a group of sheep.
SUPPORTING PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS SKILLS THROUGH BOOKS
What Can You Do with a Rebozo?
Written by Carmen Tafolla and illustrated by Amy Córdova, this book uses English and Spanish rhymes to tell a story about a family that finds many ways to use a type of shawl called a rebozo.
SUPPORTING PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS SKILLS THROUGH BOOKS
Charlie Parker Played Be Bop
Written and illustrated by Chris Raschka, this story uses lyrical words and sounds to represent the jazz music of famous saxophone player Charlie Parker.
Activity Cards for Preschool Classrooms
Part of the STREAMin3 curriculum, these activity cards provide simple and fun ways to support children's phonological awareness skills
Rhyming Songs & Poems
Build rhymes into regular classroom routines, and pair movement with words.
Robot Talk
During different parts of the day, like transitions or outdoor play, talk like a robot. Say words with a long pause in between syllables.
Willoughby Wallaby Woo
Encourage children's phonological awareness with this classic and fun children’s song and rhyme.
Get Our Resource Guide
Includes questions and activities to guide your use of the videos, book suggestions, and activity cards featured for each of the Core Skills
