Words, Syllables & Sounds
Basics on the topic Words, Syllables & Sounds
Sounds, Syllables and Words
Whenever you speak, you are combining sounds to words to express yourself. Words can be split into their components, called syllables. Analyzing words is useful when learning to read and write as early as in Kindergarten. This text demonstrates an understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
We use words, syllables, and sounds when we speak, read and write. Words are made up of syllables which are made up of sounds. Understanding that spoken words are made up of sounds and syllables is an important step in learning to read and write.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Analyzing Words
Words also have meaning. Words can be large, like tomato, or they can be small, like in. Saying words correctly and clearly with the accepted sounds and syllables reflects a child’s phonological progression.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Analyzing Syllables
Words consist of a group of sounds called syllables. Syllables are words or word parts that have one vowel sound and take one puff of air to say. We can use claps for how to write words in syllables. Words like tomato have many syllables. If you clap out the word, you will hear three parts: to-ma-to. This means there are three syllables in the word tomato! Other words, like 'in', have only one syllable. If we clap it out, we only hear a single part: in.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Analyzing Sounds
The ability to hear the difference between sounds and syllables in spoken words is important. Sounds are the special noises that letters make in a word. We can use our fingers to touch each letter sound. In the word 'tomato', each letter makes its own special sound: /t/ /ō/ /m/ /ā/ /t/ /ō/. Each letter of the word 'in' also makes its own special sound: /ĭ/ /n/. The echoing repetition of sounds in the syllables of words can be helpful to those learning to differentiate between phonemes.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Summary
Here are the main information to take away from this text:
Words are made up of syllables which are made up of sounds.
Syllables are words or word parts that we clap out to mark.
Sounds are special letter noises that we can touch to hear.
The table below shows an example of a word (“scooter”) being split into syllables and sounds.
| word | scooter |
|---|---|
| syllables | scoo–ter |
| sounds | /s/, /k/, /u/, /t/, /ə/, /r/ |
Understanding Words, Syllables and Sounds – More Activities
This text demonstrates an understanding of spoken words, syllables and sounds (phonemes) for children in Kindergarten. Have you practiced words, sounds and syllables yet? On this website, you can also find activities to teach and demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
Transcript Words, Syllables & Sounds
Dee and Kala are working at the library! This is a special library where you can borrow words, syllables, and sounds! When an item is returned, Dee and Kala must sort it into its word, its syllables, and its sounds. But, they are not sure how! Can you help Dee and Kala? ... Let's learn about... "Words, Syllables, and Sounds" together! We use words, syllables, and sounds when we speak and write. Words are made up of syllables which are made up of sounds. Words also have meaning. Words can be big like 'tomato' or they can be small like 'in'. Syllables are word or word parts that have one vowel sound and take one puff of air to say. We use claps to mark syllables. Words like tomato have many syllables. Let's clap together: to…ma…to. We clapped one, two, three times so we have three syllables! Words like 'in' have only one syllable. Let's clap it together: in. Sounds are the special noises that letters make in a word. We can use our fingers to touch each letter sound. Each letter in 'tomato' makes its own special sound: /t/ /oh/ /m/ /ā/ /t/ /oh/. Each letter of 'in' also makes its own special sound: /ĭ/ /n/. Let's practice sorting our first example: mitten. First, we think about what 'mitten' means. It is a piece of clothing that keeps our hands warm. So, the word is mitten. Next, let's clap it together to count the syllables: mit…ten . We clapped one, two times so it has two syllables! Finally, we touch every letter in each syllable to hear the sounds: /m/ /ĭ/ /t/ … /t/ /ĭ/ /n/ mitten! Now that we've put away mitten, let's sort the last example: A. First, we think about what A means; it means having one of something like A piece of candy. So, the word is A. Next, we clap it to count the syllables... A. It has one clap or one syllable. Finally, we touch the letter A to hear the sound: /ā/. So A is a word, a syllable and a sound! A is a special letter that should go somewhere special! "I know just the place for A!" Before we see where A went, let's remember! Words are made up of syllables which are made up of sounds. Syllables are word or word parts that we clap out. Sounds are special letter noises that we touch to hear. "What A library!"
Words, Syllables & Sounds exercise
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Help Dee and Kala find the clouds with words.
HintsThere are four clouds with words.
Words are a group of letters that when put together, have meaning.
SolutionThere are four clouds containing words.
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Find the picture that shows the meaning of each word.
HintsEvery picture has a match.
Sound out the word to help you find its matching picture.
Look at the color of each word. Do you see that color in one of the pictures?
SolutionWords are letters that when put together, have meaning.
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Which words start with the same sound?
HintsThere are 3 words that begin with the same sound.
The pictures show a pig, pan, book, and pencil.
SolutionThe words pig, pan, and pencil begin with the same sound. The word book does not start with the same sound as the others.
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How many syllables does the word have?
HintsSyllables are word parts that have one vowel sound and are said in one clap, or puff of air.
There are 2 words that belong to each number of syllables.
The word hedgehog has 2 syllables as shown in the picture. This is because there are 2 word parts that have a vowel sound, and it is said in 2 claps or 2 puffs of air.
SolutionThe words chair and sun have 1 syllable.
The words scissors and hedgehog have 2 syllables.
The words banana and umbrella have 3 syllables.
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How many syllables do you hear in each word?
HintsSyllables are word parts that have one vowel sound and are said in one clap, or puff of air.
Clap each part of the word as you say it to help you hear the syllables.
Helicopter has 4 syllables.
SolutionCount the vowel sounds, or puffs of air, as you say each word.
House has 1 syllable.
Backpack has 2 syllables.
Lollipop has 3 syllables.
Helicopter has 4 syllables.
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Can you match the animal to the number of syllables in its name?
HintsSyllables are word parts that have one vowel sound and are said in one clap, or puff of air.
Count and clap the syllables in rhinoceros.
SolutionCount the vowel sounds, or puffs of air, as you say each word.
Frog has 1 syllable.
Zebra has 2 syllables.
Octopus has 3 syllables.
Rhinoceros has 4 syllables.
