The ability to rhyme is a key to phonological awareness and learning to read. Children don't learn to rhyme in a day, but here are some ACTIVE ideas to engage them whenever you have a few extra minutes
Handy Rhymes
Have children extend their arms as they sing a pairs of words that rhyme. Sing to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.”
Top (hold out right hand)
Mop (hold out left hand
Those words rhyme.
Sun (hold out right hand)
Fun (hold out left hand)
Those words rhyme.
Kitten (hold out right hand)
Mitten (hold out left hand)
Those words rhyme.
Now, let’s rhyme some more…(Roll arms around.)
Rhyme Ball
You will need a ball, beanbag, or other object to toss for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. The teacher says a word and then tosses the ball to a child. As the child catches the ball, she must say a word that rhymes.
You will need a ball, beanbag, or other object to toss for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. The teacher says a word and then tosses the ball to a child. As the child catches the ball, she must say a word that rhymes.
Rhyme Detectives
Tell the children that they will get to be detectives and listen for words that rhyme. You say a word, and they put their pinkies up if they hear a word that rhymes with it. Pinkies down if the words don’t rhyme.
Cat - hat (pinkies up)
run - dog (pinkies down)
Name Rhymes
Children love silly nonsense words, so make up rhymes with their names. Jason – bason – mason – pason
Mia – bia – ria – chia
Rhyme Bag Homework
Give each child a paper bag and ask them to bring in two objects that rhyme. (You could even make the bag into a backpack.)Repeat this chant below as children share their items:
We’re going on a rhyming hunt and we know what to do.
We need to listen carefully and rhyme some words with you.
Say the words several times. Can children think of other words that rhyme?
*As a follow up activity ask children to draw pictures of things their friends shared that rhyme.
And that’s the end - my friends!