Today I’m sharing a free syllable count activity for your preschooler. (This post contains affiliate links.)
Syllable.
How would you definite it?
Just yesterday I was having this conversation with my Seven. As she said, “Well, I know what syllables are. They’re so easy! But I don’t know how to say what the word syllable means. That’s kind of hard.”
She’s right, I think! Here’s one definition:
Syllable.
“a unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants, forming the whole or part of a word.”
And this is a skill for preschoolers?
Thankfully, kids don’t need to know that lofty definition or even the difference between vowels and consonants to understand syllables. They’re actually quite simple.
To introduce syllables to my Four, I used his name. I don’t share my kids’ names on this blog, but I’ll show you what I mean using some of their middle names.
“Every word has syllables. It’s a chunk in a word that you can count. Words can have 1, 2, 3, or even more syllables. How many syllables are in your name? Let’s clap them. Ste-phen. (clap/clap) How many did you count?
“Two!”
“That’s right! Let’s try Emilie. Em-i-lie. (clap/clap/clap) How many syllables?
“Two.”
“Let’s try again. Em-i-lie. (clap/clap/clap)”
“Three.”
“Great! How about Joel? Joel (clap).”
“One.”
He enjoyed working through a stack of cards. As he clapped the syllables for each one, his baby sister looked on with interest. Clapping is a skill she mastered just this week! 🙂
A tip: If clapping and counting is hard, have your child put his hand under his chin. He can count how many times his chin lowers as he says a word. Or use a mirror. “How many times does your mouth open when you say that word?”
Finally… if your child can’t bear sitting at the table, show him the cards and have him JUMP the syllables! Then let him clip the syllable count before moving on to the next one.
So what’s the point of learning syllables anyway? When I was in school we learned it later (early elementary). I remember pages of counting syllables in words in my reading workbook. Boring, but easy. I never understood the point.
There are good reasons this skill has shifted down to pre-readers.
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- When kids can chunk words into syllables, they can read longer words more quickly, accurately, and fluently.
- Beginning spellers do better when they can break words into pieces.
Here are even more free printables!
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© 2014 – 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Karen says
I got some more great activities from your sight. The ideas are much appreciated. Above…”define” rather than “definite”:)
Karen says
*site, not sight lol
Yara says
How can I print the syllables activities cards and rhyming
Anna Geiger says
It says “Get your set of 60 free cards HERE.” Click on the HERE. If it doesn’t work for you, the box underneath that has tips to make it work.
Sharon says
These syllable cards are wonderful. I noticed on motorcycle that the second /c/ is missing. Thank you for all your posts. I’m a Head Start teacher in my first year of teaching. Your site has been most helpful.
Anna Geiger says
Hi, Sharon! Thanks for the correction on my syllable cards. It should be fixed now!
Suzanne says
Thank you for the freebie! Here’s the definition of a syllable I was taught: A small word or a piece of a word that has at least one vowel (or a vowel sound).
Anna Geiger says
I like that definition – thanks, Suzanne :).
Dina says
I just wanted to say thank you for your generosity. These clip cards are wonderful! The kids are really going to enjoy them. Bless you!
Terri says
Thank you so much for all these resources. My 7 year old is a struggling reader who has been resisting learning because of her delays. Added to that the anxiety because her 4 year old brother has taken to reading like a duck to water. But they love playing games together and these resources across your site have brought back the fun for her – we are making baby steps again!
Anna Geiger says
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that, Terri! It’s definitely hard when a younger siblings picks things up sooner. I hope you find a lot of resources here to make learning fun for your daughter!
Patty says
Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful ideas. I am extremely busy and I always find awesome ideas on your site. Thank you.
Anna Geiger says
I’m glad you’re finding things you can use, Patty!
jenny says
A fantastic resource
Thx so much
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Jenny!
Ms. Debbie says
Thank you so much for sharing your syllable cards. This is a great idea!
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Debbie!
Judy says
Thank you.Cute as always
Anna Geiger says
You’re welcome, Judy!
Lvwenjing says
I am interested in this!
Stacey says
Hi,
Below is an easy definition of a syllable for kids.
“A syllable is a word or part of a word with 1 vowel sound’. I teach this with hand actions. I learned it from the Orton-Gillingham program.
Anna Geiger says
Thanks for that, Stacey!
Dawn says
I love all of your ideas. They are so awesome! Thank you.
Anna Geiger says
Thank you so much, Dawn!
Lisa says
Thank you, again for sharing!! I’m so excited to use these materials with the children!
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Lisa!
SALLY says
Thank you so much .
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Sally! 🙂
Cheryl says
Thank you for sharing so much great material. I’ve learned a lot.
Anna Geiger says
You’re welcome, Cheryl!
Faye says
I think I am going to enjoy this information. I told you in my e-mail that I am volunteering as a tutor for two adults in the local literacy program. I am always looking for material that I can adapt. One student is on a k/1st grade reading level (LD) and the other one is on a 2/3rd grade level.
Anna Geiger says
Yay – I’m so glad you can use my resources for your adult learners! 🙂
Faye says
P.S. thank you for sharing. I accidentally found your website yesterday.
Carol Eason says
The most precise definition of a syllable is: ‘a word, or part of a word, with one vowel sound.’
Another reason for knowing syllables helps when students are learning to print words– they often forget the vowels, especially in syllables like ‘er’, ‘pull’, shov-‘el’, gard’en’, etc..
Anna G says
Thanks for that, Carol!
Betty says
Thanks, I am teaching 2nd grade for the 15 year, plus this is my 29th year and I have two non-readers. The materials will really come in handy.
Thanks,
Betty
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Betty! I hope you find many helpful resources on my site.
rab says
thank you for the idea of putting their hand under their chin i think that will be more concrete for their learning.
Anna G says
You’re welcome!
Adawiyah says
Thanks for freebie..i like your pages..it very help me to teach my special student n my son..Jazakallah..
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Adawiyah! I’m so glad it works for you and your learners!