When we think of getting our kids ready for kindergarten, we usually picture alphabet flashcards and teaching them to recognize letters on a page. While recognizing letters is important, the true foundation of literacy actually starts with the ears, not the eyes.

This skill is called phonological awareness, which is the ability to manipulate the structure of language independently from its meaning. Before a child can read the word “cat,” they need to understand that the word is made up of three distinct sounds: /c/, /a/, and /t/. Research shows that children who develop these skills in kindergarten will likely learn to read easily.

The best part? You can practice phonological awareness anywhere—in the car, in the bath, or during dinner—without any books or screens.

Here are some fun, age-appropriate skills to practice:

Rhyming (Age 3+): This is often the first step. You can play games like, “Which word rhymes with cat? Is it star or hat?”.

Syllable Counting: Help your child break words down. Clap out the beats in their name or favorite foods. Ask, “How many syllables do you hear in but-ter-fly?”.

Initial Alliteration (Age 4+): This involves identifying the first sound in a word. You can ask, “Which word begins with the /t/ sound? Is it toad or boat?”.

These skills generally begin developing around age three and continue through age seven. By playing these simple verbal games, you are building the critical architecture for reading success later in school. If you are looking for other parent resources or specific activities to try at home, check out our website for more ideas on how to foster these early literacy skills.