Read aloud books that play with different sounds. Discuss the different types of sounds in the books as you read the stories. Some examples of this type of book include Dr. Seuss' "There's a Wocket in My Pocket," and Kevin Lewis' "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo."
Ask the children regularly what letter or sound certain words begin with. If they answer incorrectly, encourage them to sound out the words carefully, listening for the first letter. When they give the correct answer, ask the children to name other words beginning with the same sound. For the purposes of this activity, do not correct the children if, for example, they state that "cereal" begins with the same letter as "sailboat." Both begin with the /s/ sound.
Recite nursery rhymes with the children. Occasionally leave off the last word of a line, seeing if the children can guess the missing word based on the rhyming word at the end of the previous line. Play other rhyming games, as well. Challenge them to name as many words as possible rhyming with the word "goat" before reading a story about a goat, for example.
Show the kids how to clap for each syllable in a word. Give each child two words of different lengths, and ask them to decide which word has more syllables.