I Love Syllables

What You Need:

• Construction paper, or other colored paper, in red or pink
• Craft sticks (either wooden or craft foam)
• Fine-tip marker 

What You Do:

1. Before you get your young reader involved, cut out three hearts. Number them 1, 2 and 3.

2. Use the marker to write one, two and three syllable words on craft sticks. Be sure to include several words of each syllable count. Below are some suggestions.

• From
• New
• One
• Some
• There
• Three
• Time
• Two
• Words
• Work

• After
• Before
• Follow
• Little
• Mother
• Number
• People
• Picture
• Sentence
• Water

• Another
• Carefully
• Different
• Family
• However
• Important
• Remember
• Together
• Understand

3. Now help your child count the beats in the different words written on the craft sticks. Try out several two and three syllable words. Remember to clap as you read each syllable. Match the word to the correct heart. 

4. Now it's your child’s turn to show what they can do. Have them read each word aloud, clapping out the syllables as they read. Your child may have trouble counting their own claps. If this is the case, when they seem uncertain, you can read and clap and while they count.

5. As your child’s skills improve, you can create hearts for four and five syllable words and add to your word bank.