Tapping out syllables in words and counting them is a good way to develop phonemic awareness. Here is a fun “tapping” lesson to go along with the book, I Tap. So grab some sticks and begin tapping!
Forest Fun – Lesson 40
“I can tap out syllables.”
Objective: To count syllables in words. (RF.K.2)
Materials: rhythm sticks, picture cards, plastic numbers
Procedures: Children need to be able to break longer words into syllables to be able to sound them out more easily. Give your child two rhythm sticks. Choose a picture such as hotdog. Model how to tap two times as you say hotdog. Explain that hotdog has two syllables so you need to tap two times. Your child will place the picture under number 2. Try another picture such as butterfly. Your child will tap three times as you repeat but-ter-fly. Try other words such as dog, monster, caterpillar, football, hippopotamus, etc.
Conclusion: Let your child say words for you to tap.