Phonological Awareness

[jenpenny]

Hi

My Dd is 4.5 and just starting to learn her letter sounds. She manages quite well so far to recognise, for example an S and can repeat after me, s for snake.....but if I ask her what other words start with s she does not seem to know. I asked her when doing m what words started with m and she said some random word like duck! She does not seem to 'hear' the sound? She does however recognise the letter again and when i read her books, if I point to an m she will say that's a m.

She is not at school yet but her nursery are covering 2 letters a week, Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. So, they like them to have letter recognition and phonological awareness for entering Primary 1.

Is 'hearing the sound' something that can be taught?

It's something that comes with practice. Some children quicker than others.

I was half way through reading Lord of the Rings when it clicked. Despite many attempts to teach me, it suddenly clicked on it's own.

Play I-spy and comment on things "ssssssugar puffs. Can you hear the Ssssssssss?"

Not sssssugar puffs!! That's a -sh- sound! :o

sssnake, silly, sausage, standing.

I-spy is good, also lots of ryhmes. Take not to use the name of the letter so much so NOT "Can you you think of a word that starts with 'em'?" But instead "Can you think of something that starts mmmm....?"

Also be aware that letters can have many sounds.

Thanks!
I have been using the letter sound and more and more in conversation I drop in, park, that's starts with p etc. I guess it just needs to click!