Words, Syllables & Sounds
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Basics on the topic Words, Syllables & Sounds
Sounds, Syllables and Words
Whenever you speak, you are combining sounds to words to express yourself. Words can be split into their components, called syllables. Analysing words is useful when learning to read and write. This text demonstrates an understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
We use words, sounds, syllables when we speak, read and write. Words are made up of syllables which are made up of sounds. Understanding that spoken words are made up of sounds and syllables is an important step in learning to read and write.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Analysing Words
Words also have meaning. Words can be larger, like animal, or they can be smaller, like in. Saying words correctly and clearly with the accepted sounds and syllables reflects a child’s phonological progression.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Analysing Syllables
What are words made up of? Words consist of a group of sounds called syllables. Syllables are words or word parts that have one vowel sound and take one puff of air to say. We can use claps to show syllables. Words like animal have many syllables. If you clap out the word, you will hear three parts: an-i-mal. This means there are three syllables in the word animal! Other words, like 'in', have only one syllable. If we clap it out, we only hear a single part: in.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Analysing Sounds
The ability to hear the difference between sounds and syllables in spoken words is important. Sounds are the special noises that letters make in a word. We can use our fingers to touch each letter sound. In the word 'tomato', each letter makes its own special sound: /a/ /n/ /i/ /m/ /a/ /l/. Each letter of the word 'in' also makes its own special sound: /ĭ/ /n/. The echoing repetition of sounds in the syllables of words can be helpful to those learning to differentiate between phonemes.
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Summary
Here are the main information to take away from this text:
- Words are made up of syllables which are made up of sounds.
- Syllables are words or word parts that we clap out to mark.
- Sounds are special letter noises that we can touch to hear.
The table below shows an example of a word (“scooter”) being split into syllables and sounds.
| word | scooter |
|---|---|
| syllables | scoo–ter |
| sounds | /s/, /k/, /u:/, /t/, /ə/ |
Sounds, Syllables and Words – Further practice
Have you practised words, sounds and syllables yet? On this website, you can also find a words, sounds and syllables worksheet as well as a variety of other activities to help with phonological awareness.
Transcript Words, Syllables & Sounds
Dee and Kala are working at the library! This is a SPECIAL library where you can borrow words, syllables, and sounds! When an item is returned, Dee and Kala must sort it into its word, its syllables, and its sounds. But, they are not sure how! Can you help Dee and Kala? Let's learn about "Words, Syllables, and Sounds" together! We use words, syllables, and sounds when we speak and write.
WORDS are made up of syllables, which are made up of sounds. Words also have meaning. Words can be small like 'in'. SYLLABLES are words or PARTS of words that are one beat long and take one puff of air to say. We use claps to mark syllables. Words like animal have many syllables. Let's clap together: an . We clapped one, two, three times, so we have THREE syllables! Words like 'in' have only one syllable. Let's clap it together: in. SOUNDS are the special noises that letters make in a word. We can use our fingers to touch each letter sound. Each letter in 'animal' makes its own special sound: /a/ /n/ /i/ /m/ /a/ /l/. Each letter of 'in' also makes its own special sound: /i/ /n/. Let's practice sorting our first example: picnic. First, we think about what 'picnic' means. It is a meal that we pack up and eat away from our homes, often outside. So, the WORD is picnic. Next, let's clap it together to count the syllables: pic-nic. We clapped one, two times, so it has TWO syllables! Finally, we touch every letter in each syllable to hear the sounds. /p/ /i/ /c/ /n/ /i/ /c/, picnic! Now that we've put away picnic, let's sort the last example: . First, we think about what sweet. So, the WORD is . Next, we clap it to count the syllables . It has one clap or one syllable. Finally, we touch the letter to hear the sound /a/. So is a word, a syllable AND a sound! is a special letter that should go somewhere special! !" Before we see where went, let's remember! Words are made up of syllables, which are made up of sounds. Syllables are words or PARTS of words that we clap out. Sounds are special letter noises that we touch to hear.
Words, Syllables & Sounds exercise
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Help Dee and Kala find the clouds with words.
HintsThere are four clouds with words.
Words are a group of letters that when put together, have meaning.
SolutionThere are four clouds containing words.
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Find the picture that shows the meaning of each word.
HintsEvery picture has a match.
Sound out the word to help you find its matching picture.
Look at the colour of each word. Do you see that colour in one of the pictures?
SolutionWords are letters that when put together, have meaning.
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Which words start with the same sound?
HintsThere are 3 words that begin with the same sound.
The pictures show a pig, pan, book and pencil.
SolutionThe words pig, pan and pencil begin with the same sound. The word book does not start with the same sound as the others.
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How many syllables does the word have?
HintsSyllables are word parts that have one vowel sound and are said in one clap, or puff of air.
There are 2 words that belong to each number of syllables.
The word hedgehog has 2 syllables, as shown in the picture. This is because there are 2 word parts that have a vowel sound and it is said in 2 claps, or 2 puffs of air.
SolutionThe words, chair and sun, have 1 syllable.
The words, scissors and hedgehog, have 2 syllables.
The words, banana and umbrella, have 3 syllables.
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How many syllables do you hear in each word?
HintsSyllables are word parts that have one vowel sound and are said in one clap, or puff of air.
Clap each part of the word as you say it to help you hear the syllables.
Helicopter has 4 syllables.
SolutionCount the vowel sounds, or puffs of air, as you say each word.
House has 1 syllable.
Backpack has 2 syllables.
Lollipop has 3 syllables.
Helicopter has 4 syllables.
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Can you match the animal to the number of syllables in its name?
HintsSyllables are word parts that have one vowel sound and are said in one clap, or puff of air.
Count and clap the syllables in rhinoceros.
The animals in the images are: octopus, rhinoceros, zebra and frog.
SolutionCount the vowel sounds, or puffs of air, as you say each word.
Frog has 1 syllable.
Zebra has 2 syllables.
Octopus has 3 syllables.
Rhinoceros has 4 syllables.
Rhyming Words
The Letter S
The Letter A
The Letter T
The Letter P
The Letter I
The Letter N
The Letter M
The Letter D
The Letter G
The Letter O
The Letter K
The Letter H
The Letter E
The Letter R
The Letter U
The Letter L
The Letter B
The Letter F
The Letter J
The Letter Q(u)
The Letter W
The Letter V
The Letter X
The Letter Y
The Letter Z
Consonant Letter Sounds
Matching Letters to Consonant & Vowel Sounds— Let's Practise!
CVC Words: The Initial Consonant
CVC Words: The Middle Vowel
CVC Sounds: The Final Consonant
CVC Words
Long and short Vowel sounds
Words, Syllables & Sounds
Consonant Blends
Onsets & Rimes
Decoding: Look at the Picture
Decoding: Stretch out the Word
Counting & Segmenting Syllables
Final 'E' and Split Digraphs
Adjacent Consonants _r
Adjacent Consonants l
The Soft C
The Soft G
Alternative Pronunciation y (I)
