School Sparks - Kindergarten Readiness

The importance of identifying syllables

The ability to identify syllables in words is one of the first skills that must be mastered as children learn to break words into separate segments. When children can identify word parts they are starting to hear individual sounds in words. And of course, reading depends on a child’s ability to isolate and identify each sound that letters make and combine these sounds to form words.

Tips for teaching children to identify syllables

Before beginning these challenging worksheets, demonstrate how to break words into parts by saying aloud some compound words. These are the easiest for children to break into syllables. Then repeat the word deliberately and clap for each segment. The third time you say the word, ask your child to join you. Finally, ask your child to try this on his own. Some compound words to try include: sunshine, baseball, airplane, cupcake, cowboy, snowman, pancake, and oatmeal.

Next, demonstrate syllable identification with some two-syllable words that are easily broken into two parts such as sister, grandma, carpet, raisin, basket, or cookie. Again, after you demonstrate how to clap for each syllable, join your child as he attempts to do this. Then ask him to try the same word without your support. Point out that all of the words you demonstrated had two parts or syllables.

Then demonstrate some three-syllable words in the same way. Some suggestions include: microphone, carnival, acrobat, calendar, computer,and celebrate.

Finally, demonstrate one syllable words. These seem to be the most challenging because children have a difficult time clapping just once. So demonstrate as before with words such as: bat, rock, car, sun, dog, hop, boat and sing.

Guidance for using the identifying syllables worksheets

When your child seems to understand the concept of word parts, introduce the Identifying Syllables worksheets to him. Point to each picture and then say the word slowly and deliberately to help your child hear the word parts. You might also want to put up a finger each time your child claps to help him keep track of the number of syllables. This will allow him to concentrate on the word parts instead of on counting.

Learning to break words into segments and put them back together takes exposure and practice. If your young child struggles, even with your demonstrations, put the worksheets away and try again in several weeks. By showing him how to identify syllables, your child will be exposed to this skill and with some practice, will be able to master it.

Extra activity suggestions to supplement the identifying syllables worksheets

• Give your child a number from one through four and ask him to think of a word with that number of syllables. Then switch roles, having him confirm that the word you suggest has the correct number of syllables.
• When hearing a new word for the first time, encourage your child to clap as he says the word aloud, counting how many syllables the word has.