Level 1: Simon Says Sounds

Rhythm & Rhyme: Connections to Print

Level 1 Activities help a child develop an “ear” for the spoken language. When surrounded with oral talk, the hearing, identifying , and matching similar word patterns flourishes. This is the foundational building block for reading.

The following activities help build the connections between the sound(s) to the printed alphabet letter(s).

Early Literacy Foundational Skills

• Sound (Phoneme) Matching

  • listen & detect similar sounds at the beginning (onset) of a word

  • listen & detect similar sounds at the ending (rime) of a word

• Syllable Counting

  • listen, detect, & count syllables (beats) within a word

• Word Counting

  • listen, detect, & count words in a sentence or phrase

Simon Says Sounds

GOAL: sound matching & matching letters to sounds

Materials:

• alphabet cards

Directions for New Players

1. Hand your child a set of alphabet cards

2. Select ten alphabet letter cards and lay face up.

3. Play Simon Says using commands such as: Simon says touch the letter C with your thumb; Simon says place the letter that makes the /b/ sound on the chair; Place /m/ and /s/ letters on your head.

CHALLENGE:

• Switch roles and have your child give you Simon Says commands.

Directions for Established Players

1. Hand your child a set of alphabet cards

2. Lay ALL alphabet letter cards face up.

3. Play Simon Says using commands such as: Simon says touch the letter C with your thumb; Simon says place the letter that makes the /b/ sound on the chair; Place /m/ and /s/ letters on your head.

CHALLENGE:

• Switch roles and have your child give you Simon Says commands.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• Always model first until the child is comfortable with this activity.