Slide and Say
In this game, your child will slide a coin for each sound in a word and then put the sounds together again.
Learning Area(s): Reading and Writing
MATERIALS
- 3 or 4 coins or other small objects
- paper and marker
- word list (see Tips)
LET'S PLAY
Choose a word list from the Tips section of this activity. Draw three or four boxes on a sheet of paper. Place each coin above a box.
First, read a word from the list, like sat. Then show your child how to slide each coin into a box as you say each sound: /sss/-/aaa/-ttt/. Last, say the whole word as you glide your finger under the boxes as if you were reading a word.
Return all coins to the top of the page.
Monitor your child to ensure they move the coin as they say each part of the word.
TIPS
- Remember that the number of letters can be different from the number of sounds! Some letter pairs have two letters that make one sound—ch, th, ow, ea, for example—that would only use one chip. Other pairs have two letters that make two sounds (blends)—pl, sn, st, for example—that would use two chips.
- Start with a less difficult three-sound word list that matches your child’s grade level.
- If the activity is too challenging, use a word list from the grade level below. If the activity is too easy, use the more difficult word list or move to the next grade level. For example, if the three-sound words are too easy for your child, try using a four-sound word list.
Each word list will expand when selected.
