Slow Talk

Slow Talk

Children who can blend sounds together are easily able to apply the skill to reading. This skill will pay off when your child begins sounding out words. When beginner readers sound out words, they slowly say each sound within the words such as c-a-t. Then they repeat the sounds faster to read the word. This is called blending. Developing this skill doesn't have to wait until the child is reading full words and sentences, they can practice them now with this activity so sounding out words will be much easier.

To do this activity, place one of the picture cards in front of your child and tell them the stuffed animal character (whatever name you have undoubtedly already chosen for it) speaks very slowly. The child needs to figure out which picture the animal is trying to say while you stretch the words out into each letter sound. Your child will quickly learn to blend the sounds together as they try to identify the picture.

FREE Picture Cards Printable