This is a collaborative post: Some of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s might not always have the fondest of memories in terms of phonics lessons. Still, we need to remember that phonics represent an important component of the entire EYFS framework. This is why flavouring these activities with a bit of fun is always a wise strategy. Let us quickly peruse six interesting suggestions in order to appreciate your options.
Matching Colours with Sounds
Children need to understand which sounds are associated with specific letters. One unique approach involves drawing a series of letters and placing certain images within each letter. Children can then colour in the image which correlates with the letter in question. Alternatively, you can cut out a handful of images and encourage children to place these images within the associated letter (such as “a” for apple and “b” for banana).
Employ a “Sounds Chart”
Another interesting idea is to create a chart with a series of sounds (such as “fr”, “wh” and “qu”). These letters can then be paired with images corresponding to certain words (“wh” for whale, “fr” for fries and “qu” for queen).
Walking with Words
This next tip is excellent within an active learning environment. Draw large words on the ground with chalk or a similar utensil. Children can then hop along each individual letter; sounding out the words as they move. Teachers can likewise determine if any students are having more difficulty than others (important for EYFS assessment future analyses.
Ping-Pong Phonetics
Another hands-on activity involves nothing more than a ping-pong ball and a series of plastic drinking cups. Write certain letters on each cup. Children can then toss the ping-pong ball into the cups. Depending upon where the ball lands, the child will pronounce how the letters sound. It may even be possible to create different teams in order to encourage active participation.
Mix-and-Match Games
These can be performed with flash cards, alphabet blocks or simple pieces of paper. Label each with a letter and instruct the children to compose different words. They can then attempt to pronounce these words. An additional option is to use mix-and-match games to create a series of words and ultimately, into a short sentence.
Phonics Bingo
Children will love this next game and it should keep them entertained for a significant amount of time. Print out a series of bingo cards with images of everyday objects. When a child places a bingo chip on an image, he or she can then attempt to pronounce the word. Another benefit of this approach is that it will allow children to become more familiar with numbers.
There is no reason why phonics should represent a dull and boring activity. The ability to incorporate engaging games into a typical learning session will help to ensure that their attention is maintained for longer periods of time. Also, children will be more likely to actively participate while simultaneously honing their skills.