The ability to hear, understand and make rhymes is an important aspect of phonological awareness. The most basic of these skills is the ability to hear rhymes. Start by saying two words and asking the child whether or not the ending sound is the same. If the student has trouble, say the words slowly and emphasize the final sounds. Once the student masters this, give three words and ask which ones rhyme with each other or if any rhyme. Say one rhyming word and ask students to tell you when they hear a word in a song or poem that rhymes. Generate a class list of both real and imaginary words that rhyme with a given one.
The ability to segment and count the sounds and syllables in words helps students learn to sound words out when they read and write. Say a word and model breaking it up into its component sounds or syllables. For example, the word “mat” has three sounds: m-a-t, but only one syllable. Have students clap, snap their fingers, or stomp their feet for each sound. If students have trouble hearing the sounds in words, have them slide a counter from one side of their desk to the other for each sound that they hear. Say words slowly and have children practice stretching words out so that they can hear all of the sounds.
Sound identification is the ability to hear and identify a given sound in various parts of a word. This skill helps students to sound out words when they write. Ask students whether the “m” sound is at the beginning, middle or end of the word “mat” or the word “ham”. Go on a treasure hunt for objects in the classroom or on the playground that either begin or end with a given sound. Read books and have students listen for words that begin or end with a particular sound.
Sound manipulation is the most difficult aspect of phonemic awareness. This is the ability to both hear and manipulate the sounds in words. To practice sound manipulation ask children what the word “mat” would be if the “m” sound was a “b” sound instead. Do the same with the middle and ending sounds in words. Ask what the word “man” would be if the “n” sound was a “t” instead, or if the “a” sound was an “e”. Sing songs that feature sound manipulation like the Apples and Bananas song.