This classifying game is great during the Christmas season. Label three stockings with the numbers "1," "2" and "3." Use iron-on transfers, fabric markers, or paper numbers and safety pins. Hang the stockings within student reach. Create small cards with a variety of familiar pictures. Write the word underneath the picture to promote print recognition. Limit the pictures to words that have one, two or three syllables. Gather the class in front of the stockings and review the concept of syllables. Remind students to clap out each word to determine the number of syllables. Hand each student a picture card. Call students to the front one at a time to share their picture, clap out the word and place the card in the correct stocking. After introducing the game to the class, place the stockings and cards at a center for independent practice.
Preschoolers will delight in making and wearing these beaded name necklaces. Before the lesson, give each student a bag with letter beads to spell his name. Use different colored letter beads for each syllable in the child's name. For example, the name "Ben" would use only one color. The name "Tyson" would use two colors -- one for T-Y and another for S-O-N. Review the concept of syllables by having each student clap out his own name and tell the number of syllables. Help students string their letter beads onto a piece of string. Discuss with students that the different colors show how many syllables are in their names. Allow students to string additional non-lettered beads onto their necklaces for decoration. Encourage students to explore their peers' necklaces to discover whose names have more, fewer, or the same number of syllables.
Preschool students love playing I Spy games, in which they are challenged to guess an item in the classroom from simple clues. Incorporating syllables into this popular game is a fun way to provide valuable practice. Start by modeling how to play the game. Give the students two clues for an item, how many syllables the word has and at least one physical property. For example, "I spy something red and round with two syllables." When students guess, encourage them to clap out the word to make sure it fits the clue. Once the class is successful with teacher-directed examples, allow students to lead the game. To provide guidance, have the lead student whisper the item and clues to a grown-up to check for accuracy.
Using mirrors allows students to visually explore syllables in spoken words. This game can be especially beneficial for students struggling to understand the concept of syllables. Distribute one small mirror to each student. Explain that today, instead of clapping out each word, students will watch how many times their mouths open to determine the number of syllables. If students understand the concept of vowels, explain that our mouths open each time we speak a vowel sound. Give the class a word to say and allow the students to say it into the mirror. If students are having a difficult time seeing this concept, encourage them to cup their jaws with their hands while saying the word. Continue to give students words with a variety of syllables. Preschoolers will enjoy exploring different words independently as well.