Choose fun phonic songs and rhymes that have clear alliteration. For example, teach the letter sound "l" through the song, "Licking Lollipops" by David Kisor, which is available from the Songs For Teaching website. Sing with enthusiasm and gently emphasize the initial letter sound. For example, smile and show the position of your tongue on the roof of your mouth as you emphasize the "l" sound in "Little Linda loves to lick her lollipop." Encourage children to mime actions to songs and rhymes, such as pretending to lick a lollipop. Children also enjoy creative alliteration with "nonsense" words, such as those included in the song, "Bumpbibble Bump," by Cathy Bollinger.
Choose five toys or safe items that have the same initial letter sound; for example, a book, a ball, a biscuit, a balloon and a boat. Place items on a tray and ask children to name them. Gently emphasize alliteration by repeating the names of the items to the children. Show children a teddy that you have named "Teddy Trickster." Ask children to close their eyes and turn around while Teddy removes and hides one of the items. Let the children look and say which item is missing. Vary and extend the game by using five items with the same initial letter sound and one that "Teddy Trickster" has introduced as the "odd one out." Ask children to guess which is the "odd" item.
Invent simple stories about the items that are included in your letter sounds games. For example, tell the story of a child named Billy who was reading a book and felt hungry. He went to get a biscuit, but was distracted by the sound of a ball that was bouncing outside. Billy chased the ball to the seashore where he found a boat. He climbed aboard the boat, which sailed far away from land. Wondering how to get back home, Billy remembered the balloon in his pocket. He blew up the balloon, held onto the string and floated back home. You can invent straightforward narratives or make the stories as "silly" as you like for extra fun. Encourage children to add suggestions to develop the story.
Encourage children to draw pictures of items that represent the letter sounds that you have introduced in your songs, games and stories. If you have introduced the letter sound "b," suggest that children draw themselves holding a balloon and ask the children if they would like you to write the word "balloon" on their picture. Write all words, except for proper nouns, in lower case letters and emphasize the initial letter sound by writing it in a contrasting color. Provide simple coloring activities that display both the capital and lower case letter, such as the "Alphabet Letter Coloring Pages" at the Everything Preschool website.