Rhyming

Rhyming is understanding that some words end in the same sounds. Rhyming is a fun activity and helps children to develop insight into the sound structure of words. Rhyming is not directly linked to reading acquisition in the same way segmenting and blending are, however it can be a valuable introduction to phonemic awareness skills.

Awareness of rhyme does not necessarily mean children will automatically develop an awareness of phonemes. However rhyming activities are valuable for the enjoyment children get from these activities and help them to become aware that words have sound patterns, and to understand the alphabetic principle (the insight that letters and letter combinations represent the sounds of spoken language).

Rhyming detection tasks are easier than rhyming production.

Rhyming detection – Which words rhyme? Clocks, shoe, fox?

Rhyming production – Tell me a word that rhymes with pan.