Do They Rhyme?
Here's What To Do
Say three one-syllable words, two that rhyme and one that doesn’t. Ask your child to identify the two words that rhyme with each other. Made up words are OK too.
If able, your child can suggest another word that rhymes with the rhyming pair.
Your child can also lead the game. It’s OK if their words don’t rhyme, you can point that out and then come up with words that rhyme with one of the words together.
This is a great quick game to play anywhere, like in the car or in a waiting room.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Use funny voices to say some rhyming words. Your child can repeat them after you and choose the voice they’d like to use to play the rhyming game.
Engage:
- “I’ll say three words. You’ll tell me the two words that rhyme or sound the same at the end.”
- “‘Hop, run, top.’ Which two words rhyme?”
Encourage:
- Say pairs of words together to help your child identify the two that rhyme.
- “‘Hop, top.’ Do they rhyme? Or do ‘hop, run’ rhyme?”
Reflect:
- “Did you like that game?” (If they didn’t like the game, they can suggest ways to change the game when they play again).
Not quite ready?
Instead of three words, give your child two one-syllable words and ask if they rhyme. “Do ‘pig’ and ‘dig’ rhyme? Say ‘pig, dig.’ Do you hear ‘ig’ at the end of ‘pig’ and ‘dig?’
Ready for more?
Your child can produce one- and two-syllable rhyming words.
As your child masters this skill...
They will identify nonsense and actual rhyming words.