Phonemes are the building blocks of early reading. At the Phoneme Center, children can begin to decode written language—to see that words can be broken into parts and that each part makes a different sound. Paving the way to sounding out words, the phonemic alphabet will allow children to hear the difference between letter names and sound. Combining these exercises with vowel sound exercises will provide children with the basic elements of written language.

Objective: To promote the understanding that words can be broken into parts and that each part makes a different sound. Children will be encouraged to decode a word using the process of "sounding out."

Phoneme Activities

Vowel Phoneme Recognition

Vowel Phoneme Recognition

Rhyming supports the development of phonemic awareness in early readers. Children start to hear the similarities and differences between letter blends through the use of rhyming games and activities. Rhyming can also help to build vocabulary through word play. This is a fun category, one in which imaginations and creativity will be stimulated through word play.

The Poetry Corner will give children a chance to relax and use another important skill — listening. Listening with comprehension is a skill that must be nurtured and developed over time. This skill is especially important to non-native speakers who will benefit from the opportunity to hear their new vocabulary in an entertaining format.

Objective: To develop phonemic awareness through the use of rhyming games and activities. Children will realize that words rhyme and be able to distinguish different types of rhyming words.

Musical experiences have been shown to contribute to the cognitive, aesthetic, cultural, and motor skills development of children. One can see the delight that the very young take in music through their movement and sense of rhythm. When we take advantage of this joy, we can build the link between rhythmic speech and music. This in turn will encourage the melody to grow out of rhythm. At the Music Center, children are introduced to various instruments and their roles in music.

Objective: To develop a sense of rhythm and musical creativity.