Kids can kick the ball for each syllable. For example, ‘snow’ would have just one ball, while ‘kitten’ would have two. If some balls are on-hand, set them up based on the word.

Say a word slowly and have the kids will kick out for every syllable in a word. This is another one that would be great outside! If inside, I’d suggest a smaller, softer ball of some kind. If not, the kiddos can pretend to be kicking a ball instead.

Kick the Syllable – Grab a couple of kick balls or soccer balls, of any are handy.

Say the word slowly, broken down into syllables, to help children self-correct. Shout a word and have the children run to the number that represents the correct amount of syllables. Even better, take the game outside! Place a 1 in one area, a 2 in a different spot, and a 3 in a third spot.

Syllable Number Run – Set up a space that has enough room for the kiddos to run around.

Say words that the children know and have fun hopping around! Depending on what the kids understand, this could be a shadow activity – you say the word, model it, and then have the kiddos copy what you did. Remind the kiddos what syllables are and model the activity quickly.

The Syllable Hop – Explain that everyone will hop in time with the syllables of a word.Little kids need to move around a lot, so why not incorporate some physical activities while teaching syllables!? In addition to being fun, it also really directs the children’s attention to the different number of syllables in words.

When I explain it to young children, I say something along the lines of, “a syllable is part of a word.” Yes, that’s incredibly simplistic! I find that the experience in breaking words down into syllables is more important than the definition (for young kids). They can be vowel sounds on their own or with accompanying consonant sounds. Syllables are the chunks of words that we naturally create when speaking – unbroken sounds that make up words.

Kindergarten worksheets on syllables