The game Connect Three helps children by getting them to hear how sounds make words. The teacher says three sounds slowly, then ask the kids to say the word. The students have to connect the sounds by hearing them separately then putting them together. The teacher may have to say sounds several times for each word until the children understand the process. Playing this game with three letter words like "cat," "dog" and "sit" is effective when students are just beginning to learn this phonemic skill.
Sometimes students have trouble understanding the concept of sounds coming together to make a word. Auditory practice may not be enough, so teachers can play Stretchy Words using a rubber snake, a rubber band or a Slinky. Standing in front of the class, the teacher says the sounds in a word slowly while stretching the chosen manipulative. After she says the sounds, she will let the rubber band or Slinky go back in place as she says the word. Then children can work in group and play this game together.
In this blending game, students use letter tiles while sounding out words. The teacher gives students three letter tiles that spell a word. The teacher tells the child the word, and he will put the letters in the correct order. Then the teacher asks the student to touch each letter and move it forward as he says the sound. Having a hands-on manipulative helps children visualize the word as they practice blending the sounds.
The internet has many online games that can supplement classroom instruction. Children can play these independently or with a partner. Teachers can also use these games to help children who are struggling with decoding skills. Between The Lions and Starfall are just two of many educational sites with interactive games. Children can listen to words being sounded out as well as stories which contain words that target specific sounds. These games are easy to navigate and keep children focused and engaged.