Rhyme is a foundation for reading and writing:
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Teaching children about rhyme is a crucial step in helping children learn how to read and write. It helps them recognise phonic units in words. Phonic units are groups of sounds that make up words, there are about 35 to 45 phonic units in the english language (Hardesty, 2015). When children become aware that certain words rhyme/or sound the same they make the connection that its a certain sound or phonic unit that both words have in common (Bookstart, n.d.). For example, mat and cat rhyme, both these word have the 'at' sound.
Rhyming words often share similar spelling, which helps when children are spelling new words (Government of South Australia, 2011). For example, 'fight and might' sound the same as 'light', which means its probably spelt similar. This also helps in reading, children start to identify the phonic units and what sound they portray and use that to help sound out and read new words (Government of South Australia, 2011). For example, if a child came across the word 'fair' in reading and wasn't sure what the word read, but had learnt about the sound and had seen the phonic unit in the word 'hair', they would be able to use their knowledge of how the phonic unit 'air' sounds and use that to help them sound out the word.
The importance of rhyme links to the the content descriptor 'Recognise rhymes, syllables and sounds (phonemes) in spoken words (ACELA1439)' in the English Foundation Level (Australiancurriculum.edu.au, 2015). This content descriptor is about children listening to sounds they hear in words, and being able to identity those sounds and phonemic units.
An activity that you could carry out with your child to help them to develop skills to identify sounds and phonemic units within words is a rhyming treasure hunt. By creating clues that use rhyming words, you give your child opportunities to listen to a range of words with similar sounds, helping them increase their bank of words. You could complete two different types of treasure hunts. The first exercise, walk around your home and find different items that rhyme. For example, a mat, baseball bat, hat and the family cat. Another exercise is using rhyming words in the clues for the treasure hunt.
i.e. 'You will find the next object on the ..... (chair). It rhymes with hair.'
Rhyming words often share similar spelling, which helps when children are spelling new words (Government of South Australia, 2011). For example, 'fight and might' sound the same as 'light', which means its probably spelt similar. This also helps in reading, children start to identify the phonic units and what sound they portray and use that to help sound out and read new words (Government of South Australia, 2011). For example, if a child came across the word 'fair' in reading and wasn't sure what the word read, but had learnt about the sound and had seen the phonic unit in the word 'hair', they would be able to use their knowledge of how the phonic unit 'air' sounds and use that to help them sound out the word.
The importance of rhyme links to the the content descriptor 'Recognise rhymes, syllables and sounds (phonemes) in spoken words (ACELA1439)' in the English Foundation Level (Australiancurriculum.edu.au, 2015). This content descriptor is about children listening to sounds they hear in words, and being able to identity those sounds and phonemic units.
An activity that you could carry out with your child to help them to develop skills to identify sounds and phonemic units within words is a rhyming treasure hunt. By creating clues that use rhyming words, you give your child opportunities to listen to a range of words with similar sounds, helping them increase their bank of words. You could complete two different types of treasure hunts. The first exercise, walk around your home and find different items that rhyme. For example, a mat, baseball bat, hat and the family cat. Another exercise is using rhyming words in the clues for the treasure hunt.
i.e. 'You will find the next object on the ..... (chair). It rhymes with hair.'