This activity works best outside, but if going out is not option, you can perform this activity by having a CD of outdoor nature sounds. Place a blanket on the ground, and instruct the students to sit on the blanket. Have everyone close their eyes and "open their ears." Encourage the children to name any sounds they hear around them (dog barking, bird chirping, trees blowing). Do this exercise for several moments, and be sure each student is participating.
Before class, fill five dark containers (i.e. film canisters) with various items such as popcorn kernels, paper clips, coins, cotton balls, beads or macaroni. Two of the containers should be filled with the same items. During class, shake each container one at a time, instructing the students to listen carefully. After you've shaken all the containers, see if anyone can guess which two containers are the same. This game can also be played by filling four of the containers the same and having the students pick the one container that is different.
Songs that promote phonological awareness are very popular with preschoolers. These songs are easy to learn and stress topics such as rhymes, word families, blending and syllables. Many of these songs are action songs which aid young children in coordination and rhythm. These songs can be found in books sold through your local supply store or online. For a list of songs, visit the Songs for Teaching website (see Resources).
There's something about the sing-song rhythm of a rhyme that children love. Begin your instruction to rhyming by reading to your class. Nursery rhymes and Dr. Seuss books are excellent tools for introducing rhyming words. Once the students have been immersed in good books, begin instructing them with objects or flashcards. Make each exercise fun and enjoyable. For example, you could show the class a stuffed animal and say, "I brought my bat with me today." At least one of your students will inform you that the animal you are holding is a cat, not a bat. This opens the door for you to explain how rhyming words sound the same and ask students if they can think of any other words that sound like "cat."
Place several objects on the floor or table in front of your students. Be sure that two of the items begin with the same letter. Have the students name each object as you point to it. Then ask if anyone can tell you which two objects begin with the same sound. The first few times you do this activity, you may need to exaggerate the beginning sound of each word. After the students name the item, repeat the word by stressing and even repeating the beginning sound (p-p-pencil).
As you begin working on letter sounds with your students, strive to focus on one letter at a time. Make a big deal about that letter. Create a classroom theme around that letter. Work it into every part of your day that you can. For example, if you are working on the letter "p," you could have the students come to school in their pajamas. At some point during the day, have a pajama parade followed by pizza and popcorn. Read a story about a panda and make a pig puppet. Don't just do the activities, but name each one and have the students tell you what letter they hear at the beginning of each word. Stress the letter sound as much as possible before moving on to the next letter.