- Early Reading
Syllables on Parade!
Let the Syllable Parade begin – with your child as the leader and head drummer! This game is a festive, fun way to help explain syllables to kids. Knowing how to break words into syllables helps little learners with a variety of literacy skills, including pronunciation, spelling, blending sounds, and getting ready to read!
Learning Goal
Children will identify the syllables within a series of words.
Let’s Talk Syllables
Get your child ready to think about syllables! You can remind them that:
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A word is made up of different parts; these parts are called syllables.
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Some words have more syllables than others. A word can also be just one syllable.
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Show your child how they can break a word into syllables. Start with a familiar example: your child’s name! Clap out each syllable as you say their name (“Chris-tine,” “Jo-se,” “Jack,” “Re-bec-ca,” etc.).
Play in the Parade
Let the parade begin! Invite your child to be the drummer at the head of your Syllable Parade. Give your child a toy drum and drumsticks if you have them – or use other materials around your home, such as a pencil and a shoe box, or a paint brush and a plastic food storage container!
Give your child a series of words, one at a time, and ask them to tap out the syllables on the drum as they say them (for example, “ze-bra,” “ba-na-na,” “ant”). As you get started, feel free to model one or more words for your child and have them repeat what you say and do.
Encourage your child to take a step with each syllable, or just march around the room leading the Syllable Parade!
Parent Tips
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Start with one- and two-syllable words. When your child feels comfortable, try out three- and even four-syllable words.
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For an added challenge, ask your child to count how many syllables are in a given word after they sound out the syllables.
Some ideas for related words:
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Names of friends and family members
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Fruits and vegetables
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Animals
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Types of transportation
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Colors
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Items in your child’s bedroom
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Favorite foods
Other Ways to Play and Learn
Instead of drumming, have your child clap out each syllable as they say a word.
Your child can also use their whole body! Try having them jump up high or hop on one foot as they say each syllable.
Watch in the App!
Skye's Song Squad
Welcome to the Noggin Marching Band! Play some animal songs with Skye as she leads our Noggin band to drum the correct number of syllables for each animal.
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Watch in the App!
Skye's Song Squad
Welcome to the Noggin Marching Band! Play some animal songs with Skye as she leads our Noggin band to drum the correct number of syllables for each animal.
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Kid-safe & ad-free
New content added weekly
Accessible on multiple devices
Downloadable books & games for offline play