Speech Buddies Speech Therapy System

What skills help children learn to read? 

Children become better readers when they learn how to manipulate sounds in a variety of ways. The following sound awareness activities may help your child:

1. Rhyme words throughout the day. Use silly words (daddy, waddy), as well as real words, (cat, bat).

2. Teach your child to recognize words that begin with the same sound. If you say, “bear, care, ball” your child should learn to recognize the two words that begin with the B sound. Sort word and picture cards into baskets and buckets. Make a mailbox out of an old shoebox and mail the cards that begin with the letter of the week.

3. Name a letter and have your child make up words that begin with that sound. Post the letter of the week (B) on objects that begin with B (ball, bathtub, bear).

4. Teach your child to identify and group sounds at the beginning, middle and end of words (all the words that end with B, all the words that begin with B).

5. Blend separate sounds into a word (you say B-A-T and the child says “Bat”).

6. Teach your child to separate the sounds of a word into isolated components (you say basket and your child says the sounds that go with the letters B-A-S-K-E-T).

7. Finally, the most difficult sound manipulation task involves asking your child to alter words by removing a sound segment (you say “ball” and tell your child to remove the B sound and they should say “all”, you say “sat” and tell them to remove the S sound and they say “at”). Provide visual and tactile cues to aide retention. Use colored blocks which represent each sound segment and add and remove blocks as needed.

Start with easier words like cat and eventually progress to more complicated words like alligator. Use words that are age appropriate. Use words from their academic work to reinforce comprehension. Use spelling lists, social studies books and science terms to strengthen their vocabulary and spelling skills at the same time.

Most importantly, have fun! It is best to complete these activities more frequently and in short practice sessions throughout the day, rather than in one long lesson. Target a five minute practice session on the way to school and one on the way home. Use both the right and left sides of their brain to integrate learning by using music. Raffi is one of my favorite artists and he produces great songs for silly rhyming. Have fun and enjoy the time with your child! 

By: Nancy Barcal, MA CCC-SLP and Speech Buddies Provider

Nancy is the Director of Granite Bay Speech in Roseville, CA and has over 25 years experience treating individuals with stuttering, speech, language and learning difficulties. She currently offers evaluation, consultation and therapy for adults and children and has experience treating language, communication and learning disabilities. Nancy's passion is helping individuals of all ages find their hidden learning potential in all areas of communication.  She has provided staff education for numerous Bay Area Hospitals, is a frequent presenter at professional Speech & Language conferences, including ASHA, and has accolades from KNBR radio, Fremont Cable TV and the Granite Bay View Magazine. Nancy has been a Speech Buddies Provider since 2010.