Phonological and Phonemic Fun: Start with Words in Sentences- Part 2

Hello again, busy parents! Welcome to the second post in our Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Awareness Blog Series. If you want to learn more about phonological and phonemic awareness, visit yesterday’s post! Today, we’re diving into some exciting territory: helping your toddlers develop crucial phonological skills through playful activities. We’re talking about working with words in sentences- in particular, blending and segmenting sentences – in ways that are both educational and lots of fun!

Start with Words in Sentences

Why is using words in sentences is a fantastic starting point for building phonemic awareness? By starting with words in sentences, we introduce young children to the concept of word boundaries – the space between one word and the next. This awareness is crucial because it’s the foundation upon which phonemic awareness is built. Before diving into hearing and manipulating individual sounds within words, our little learners need to grasp the idea that spoken language can be broken down into distinct words. It’s like teaching them the alphabet before they learn how to spell – a fundamental step that paves the way for more intricate phonemic adventures. So, by playing with sentences and making words dance in context, you’re setting the stage for their phonemic awareness journey. 

Remember, all of these activities can and should be done orally. No need to write anything down!

Moving from Beginning to More Complex

Picture this journey like building a puzzle, piece by piece. We’re all about progression – from simple to complex. Today, let’s chat about the first steps: blending and segmenting.

Blending: Putting Words Together in a Sentence

It’s like a magic show! Take individual words and put them together in a sentence.

  • TRY THIS! Start with a simple sentence and say it with a little pause between each word: “I…love…bunnies.” Now, challenge your kiddo to blend the words into a sentence. Once they’ve mastered the basics, level up with longer sentences. 🐰

Segmenting: Break It Down

Segmenting is the reverse. Kids learn to break a sentence into individual words – sharpening their word radar.

    • TRY THIS! Time to be robotic! Instruct your child to repeat a sentence like a robot – one word at a time. Begin with short sentences and gradually tackle more intricate ones. 🤖
    • BONUS STEP! Once the robot talk is a hit, have them count the words in the sentence. They can use their fingers or small objects to represent each word, then count away. This not only boosts phonological awareness but also sneaks in some math skills! 🧮

🌈Learning and Laughter🌈

Today, Annabelle and I transformed our car ride into a robot word adventure, and before bed we counted words in our sentences – so much fun! Remember, keep it joyful and adjust difficulty if needed. If these activities aren’t all smooth sailing, that’s okay – practice makes better.

Annabelle counting words in the sentence, “I like small dogs,” before bed.
Using ponytail holders to count the number of words in the sentence, “I love to read with you.”

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s tips on addition, deletion, and substitution with words in sentences. Keep those sparks of learning alive! 🔥

Full Phonological & Phonemic Awareness Blog Series

Part 1: Introduction to Phonological and Phonemic Awareness

Part 2: Word Awareness (Blending and Segmenting Words in a Sentence)

Part 3: Word Awareness (Adding, Deleting, and Substituting Words in a Sentence

Part 4: Compound Words

Part 5: Syllables in Words

Part 6: Onset and Rime

5 Responses

    1. If he has a few words he likes to use, you could use those words and start with blending. To start you might not even leave spaces between your words and just have him repeat you. For example, my youngest daughter is almost two. She mostly babbles, but has a handful of words. I take the few words she says and put them in a sentence. If she holds up a cow figurine and says, “Moo!” I say, “A cow says moo!” Sometimes she repeats it and other times she just listens and says, “Yeah, cow!”

  2. Pingback: Phonological Awareness Word Play: Addition, Deletion, and Substitution Sentences - Part 3 • Play and Read Together!
  3. Pingback: Phonological and Phonemic Fun: A Guide for Parents! • Play and Read Together!
  4. Pingback: Phonological Awareness Word Play: The Magic of Compound Words- Part 4 • Play and Read Together!