When it comes to teaching letters and sounds, I should really be saying ‘sounds then letters,’ because teaching sounds actually comes first! The ability to hear and manipulate sounds is called Phonological Awareness, and it is the first step in teaching a child to read. In fact, phonological awareness is even more important for…
What is Phonological Awareness? From Rhyming to Reading
As you likely know, I am a huge proponent of waiting until children are developmentally ready to learn skills. It is not developmentally appropriate to teach most 3-year-olds to read. But it is developmentally appropriate to teach most 3-year-olds to rhyme. And rhyming is the very first phonological awareness skill that little ones should learn!…
10 Days of Freebies: Rhyming Cards
Welcome back, my friend! We are up to Day #4 of our ten days of freebies to celebrate How Wee Learn’s 10th Anniversary. 🎉 Today is a beautiful freebie—soft, watercolor art rhyming cards—because learning to read should be a beautiful experience. These rhyming cards are ideal for anyone starting out on their learning-to-read journey! How…
Children’s Nursery Rhyme Books: 6 Picks for Preschoolers
Did you know that the ability to rhyme is one of the strongest predictors of early reading success? It’s true! Rhyming is one of seven phonological awareness skills that little ones need to know before they can learn to read. With all of the rhyming and repetition in children’s nursery rhyme books, they are perfect…
The BEST Rhyming Activities for Kids
Get ready friends. It is time to rhyme! This post is full of rhyming activities for kids. These rhyming games are hands on, easy, and kids love them. We started thinking about rhyming the other day when we were outside. We saw a bird (a bird!) and I said, “my word .. a bird!” so…
The Great Boat Float: Teaching Rhyming to Preschoolers
A little while ago, I was playing a rhyming game with my little one when I realized he really wasn’t grasping the concept of rhyming. I tried a different game, and low and behold, he wasn’t grasping it that way, either. Teaching rhyming to preschoolers isn’t always easy! How could this be?! I thought for…
Rhyming Word Activities That Make Rhyming FUN
We have been on a rhyming kick lately. As I mentioned last week, my preschooler has learned to rhyme – and so he does – all the time. Since it has only been a week, I am still loving the rhyming and thinking it’s sweet (check back with me on this next week). So I…
Silly Kids Songs – Why and What?
I have yet to meet a 3 year old who did not enjoy a good silly song. Silly kids songs may seem just that – silly. But in fact, they are actually a wonderful way for kids to learn. I know, it sounds ridiculous. How is an Old Lady who Swallows a Fly teaching my…
Rhyming Games: Rhyme or SLIME
I just love teaching kids to rhyme. I have the BEST rhyming words game for preschoolers! Not to toot my own horn or anything, but 3 year olds just adore this fun and easy activity. Rhyming is likely not brand new to your preschooler. I bet you naturally do it every day – perhaps…