School Sparks - Kindergarten Readiness

The importance of matching letter sounds

Matching letter sounds is an important pre-reading skill as children must know the sounds of the letters when they attempt to decode (read) words. Games, worksheets and other activities that highlight the sounds of letters help children master this skill which is critical for reading success.

Tips for using these letter sounds worksheets

To start, it is important to review the names of all the pictures. For instance, if your child calls the pie “dessert” it will not match the starting sound of popcorn. Direct your child to look at the top picture on the left-hand column and say its name aloud each time he says the name of one of the pictures in the right-hand column. In this way, your child can compare the starting sound of the picture on the left with every picture on the right. When he finds the second picture with the matching sound, he may draw a line connecting the two pictures. Then, move to the next picture on the left side of the page, say its name, and say the names of the remaining pictures on the right side of the page to find the one that starts with the same sound. Before your child connects the last two pictures, ask him to check that they begin with the same sound.

The advanced worksheets require your child to name the letter in the center column and identify its sound. When he has identified the sound, ask your child to find one picture in each column that begins with that letter sound. Remember, the only consideration on these worksheets is the sound at the start of each word (or picture), not the letter that starts the word. As with the first set of sound-matching worksheets, it is a good idea to have your child say aloud the sound being matched each time he chooses a new picture. In this way, he is reviewing the letter sound as well as checking his answer.

Extra activities to supplement the letter sounds worksheets

• Write a letter boldly on a piece of paper and tape it to the middle of a hanger. Then have your child cut pictures from magazines that begin with the same letter and hang them from the bottom of the hanger.
• Place one item in an empty shoebox and then ask your child to go on a hunt around your home looking to add other items to the shoebox that begin with the same sound.
• When you get home from the grocery, ask your child to sort your purchases by sound. Coffee and carrots would go in one pile while milk and mustard go in a different pile.
• Use your finger to draw a letter on your child’s back. Instead of saying the letter’s name aloud, have him identify the letter by saying a word that begins with the letter.
• Make up your own sentences, emphasizing a specific consonant sound at the start of many of the words. For example: “Please put the paste and paper in the pot.” Then challenge your child to create a sentence.
• Read stories to your child that emphasize a specific sound. You can find these Phonics series of books in teacherʼs stores or by searching on amazon.com for “phonics books.”
• Asking your child to spot specific items in a magazine or picture book by giving him a beginning consonant sound clue. For example: “Point to something that starts like the word goat.” (girl)
• Cut out pictures from magazines (or use pictures from other School Sparks worksheets) and ask your child to match pictures that begin with the same sound.
• Play “I Spy” and give beginning sound clues. For example: “I spy something that begins like the word top.” (table) Or, “I see a food that starts like the word milk.” (muffin)
• Have a “Specific Sound Snack” (or “Supper”) and serve foods that begin with the same sound. Ask your child to “munch” on marshmallows or mini-muffins and “savor” spaghetti and sweet potatoes.