Initial Consonant Exercises

Age

4-6.

Materials

• Rug or table.
• Set of drawers. Each drawer containing 2 consonants and objects or pictures begining with those sounds. Letters are taught in the sequence listed under the Sound Table exercise.

Presentation

• Bring one drawer to the table or rug.
• Take out consonants from box and place each on table.
• Point to the one on the left and ask child, "What sound does this one make?"
• Repeat each sound.
• Directress takes the object out of the box, ask child, "What is this?". Unless it is obvious directress tells them what it is.
• Directress asks child if he can hear the beginning sound. Try to get the child to repeat the name of the object or picture to see if the child recognizes the beginning sound.
• Ask, "Does it starts with the sound 'b', or 'm'?" Child responds.
• Directress places it under appropriate letter sound.
• Continue until all objects are sorted.
• After the first, allow the child to place under appropriate letter.

Control Of Error

• The Directress.
• Words printed on the reverse side of picture cards.
• Pictures or objects should be in a row underneath the corresponding initial consonant.

Points Of Interest

The pictures and objects in the drawers.

Purpose

• To refine auditory perception of consonant sounds and medial vowel sounds.
• To provide representation of spoken word in graphic symbols.
• To develop visual and auditory memory.
• To prepare for resding, writing and spelling.

Variation

1. Have many objects (not just beginning with the consonant you are working with) in a basket. Have child go and fetch those objects from the basket that begin with the letter he is working on.