Initial Consonant Exercises

Age

4-6.

Materials

• Rug or table.
• Set of drawers. Each drawer containing 2 consonants and objects or pictures begining with those sounds. Letters are taught in the sequence listed under the Sound Table exercise.

Presentation

• Bring one drawer to the table or rug.
• Take out consonants from box and place each on table.
• Point to the one on the left and ask child, "What sound does this one make?"
• Repeat each sound.
• Directress takes the object out of the box, ask child, "What is this?".
• Unless it is obvious directress tells them what it is.
• Directress asks child if he can hear the beginning sound.
• Try to get the child to repeat the name of the object or picture to see if the child recognizes the beginning sound.
• Ask, "Does it starts with the sound 'b', or 'm'?" Child responds.
• Directress places it under appropriate letter sound.
• Continue until all objects are sorted.
• After the first, allow the child to place under appropriate letter.

Control Of Error

• The Directress.
• Words printed on the reverse side of picture cards.
• Pictures or objects should be in a row underneath the corresponding initial consonant.

Points Of Interest

The pictures and objects in the drawers.

Purpose

• To refine auditory perception of consonant sounds and medial vowel sounds.
• To provide representation of spoken word in graphic symbols.
• To develop visual and auditory memory.
• To prepare for resding, writing and spelling.

Variation

1. Have many objects (not just beginning with the consonant you are working with) in a basket. Have child go and fetch those objects from the basket that begin with the letter he is working on.