Level 4

Level 4 - Recognition and Production of Syllables

In this section children divide spoken words into syllables or ‘beats’- a task which is easier than finding the individual sounds within words.

In the early activities children are provided with visual representations for the syllables to make the task more concrete.  They should also be encouraged to move their body, clap, tap etc., to help them find the syllables as they day the words.  Later, spelling is facilitated by matching syllables found in spoken words to their written equivalents.

Syllables can be represented by any number of letters from one to eight.  The word understand has three syllables, each of a different number of letters. Un  has two, der has three and stand has five letters.  Each syllable contains a vowel sound.

  

To encourage blending of syllables:

CLAP YOUR HANDS

Clap, your hands

Clap your hands

Clap, your hands together

And clap your hands

Snap, your fingers

Snap, your fingers

Snap, your fingers together

And snap, your fingers

Say, these parts

Say these parts

Say,these parts together

And say these parts

(BIS)

Say these parts together

Teacher: moun…./….tain (children respond ‘mountain”)

Teacher:  love…/…ly  (children respond “lovely”)

Teacher:  un…./…..der (children respond “under”)

This example suggests two syllable words.  However once c

hildren are comfortable with this activity, you may include words with three or four syllables.