The Communication Club

Phonological Awareness

Speech and Language Main

Communication Games

To produce clear speech a child needs to be able to hear the difference between different sounds as well as be able to make individual sounds. This is called discrimination and it is one of the most important skills your child needs to master for learning to read as well as talk.

Here are a few games that develop children's listening skills and sound discrimination:

Match Sounds: This game helps children to identify and match sounds. You can use a variety of objects or pictures to make different sounds, such as animals, vehicles, or household objects. Play the sound of an object, and then have the child identify the object that makes that sound. You can also have the child match pictures of objects to their corresponding sounds.

Rhyming Robot: This game helps children to recognize rhyming words. You can use a variety of picture cards, each with a rhyming pair of words. Read the first word on the card, and then have the child identify the rhyming word. You can also have the child create their own rhyming pairs of words.

Old MacDonald Had A Farm: This classic nursery rhyme is a great way to help children with listening skills and sound recognition. Sing the rhyme with the child, and then have them identify the animals that are mentioned in the song. You can also have the child make the sounds of the animals.

What's Behind The Door?: This game helps children to listen carefully and identify sounds. You can use a variety of toys or objects to make different sounds. Place the objects behind a door or curtain, and then have the child listen to the sounds and guess what is behind the door.

Simon Says: This classic game is a great way to improve children's listening skills. In Simon Says, the leader (Simon) will give instructions, such as "clap your hands" or "stomp your feet." Children must follow the instructions only if Simon says "Simon says." This game helps children to listen carefully and follow directions.

I Spy: This game is a fun way to improve children's listening skills and sound discrimination. In I Spy, the leader will choose an object in the room and describe it without saying its name. Children must listen carefully to the description and try to guess the object. This game helps children to listen for details and identify objects by their sound.

These are just a few ideas for games that can help children to develop their listening skills and phonic discrimination. With a little creativity, you can come up with many other fun and engaging games that will help your child prepare for reading success.