Beginning Sounds

This language lesson is designed for 3 to 6-year-old children. It aims to guide them about the beginning letter sound of the English alphabet.

In our previous video lessons beginning sound set 1 and set 2, we learned about the beginning sounds of 12 consonants and 4 vowels. In this video, we will learn the sound of the remaining letters, i.e. 9 consonants n, l, k, x, z, w, v, y, and q, and 1 vowel e. This video lesson is the third and the last in the series when introducing beginning sounds to the child.

Learning the beginning sounds of alphabet letters serves as the building blocks of language. There are 44 phonemic sounds. To comprehend all the phonics, children must grasp these phonemic sounds. A child must be aware of how a sound is produced and how it changes when used in a word. This would help the child master reading and writing skills.

Materials Required for Beginning Sound of Letters Set 3

  • Sandpaper alphabets.
  •  Lowercase letters from the Moveable alphabet box.
  • Pictures or objects of the words that begin with the sound of the letters.

How to Introduce Beginning Letter Sound Set 3 to the Child?

In this video lesson, the child learns about the beginning letter sound of the consonants n, l, k, x, z, w,v, y, and q and the vowel e. The activity uses small objects which start with these alphabets like a zipper, quilt, elephant, etc. This helps the child learn about the different sounds the alphabets make when placed at the beginning of words. 

  1. Invite the child to the table with the beginning sound box 3.
  2. Part 1: Sandpaper letters: Take out sandpaper letters one by one out of the box and introduce them to the child by pronouncing their beginning sound. Also, slide your fingers on the letter while introducing them.
  3. Place all the letters on the desk starting from the left. Please note it’s always good to say the sound of the letter multiple times while introducing each letter.
  4. Once the child is introduced to all the letters, encourage them to recognize and say the sound of the letter. 
  5. Part 2: Moveable alphabet: Now, take out lowercase moveable alphabet one by one and repeat step 2. Let’s say if the letter ‘k’ is taken out say /k/ and move your hands on the letter formation.
  6. Place the letter on the respective sandpaper. Again, keep repeating the letter sound while introducing each letter.
  7. Part 3: Related objects: In part 3, take out an object from the box that begins with the sound /k/. Show it to the child and say its sound as done in steps 2 and 5. For example, a kangaroo. 
  8. As they recognize the sound, place it on the sandpaper alphabet card that says k.
  9. Repeat the same steps for the other letters, too.
  10. Invite the child to repeat the same.

Fun Activities to Introduce Beginning Sounds of Letters

You can aid in learning letters and sounds by using engaging alphabet-sound correspondence resources.

  • Color by Beginning Sounds

Prepare a picture chart of the words that begin with the sounds in set 3. Let the child identify the beginning sounds of each picture. Give each letter a color code based on its beginning sound. Let’s say, the color red is for the sound /l/ and yellow for the sound /k/. Now, ask the child to color the words that begin with the sound /l/ red and the words that begin with the sound /k/ yellow. With this activity, our little learners can engage not only with initial sounds but also with boosting their creativity.

  • Counting the Beginning Sounds

 This is another way to reinforce beginning sounds and also practice counting. Give them cards/objects/pictures and let them recognize the beginning sounds of each word. Ask them to count how many words start with, let’s say b sound. This can be done either by tapping on fingers, writing numbers, or using some manipulatives.

Encourage the child to practice and understand the beginning sounds of the English alphabet and help them learn and recognize different words starting with it.

Related Video Lessons

To watch more Montessori language resources, click here.

Video Created by: Joanne Shango

Tags

  • english language
  • language development
  • primary level