In this activity, you will help your child to identify syllables in spoken words by clapping for each syllable. Being able to hear and identify syllables will help your child learn to read and spell.
Think of a simple word your child would know (for example: table, fork, baby).
Introduce the game to your child by saying something like: “Let’s play a word game. I am thinking of the word ‘baby.’ We are going to clap the number of parts in the word ‘baby.’”
Show her how to clap one time as you say each part or syllable: /ba/ (clap) /by/ (clap). When clapping out syllables, hold your hands wide apart when you are saying the syllables. Making a “big clap” helps children to hear and see the number of syllables. Try to have your child clap and say the syllable at the same time.
Now try it with words that have different numbers of syllables. Examples:
To introduce variety in this activity, change clapping to tapping on the table, drumming on a drum or a large upside down bowl, or doing one jumping jack for each syllable.