Oral+Language

Oral language is normally the first type of language evident in children. Children normally learn to make sounds and turn these into words before the learn to read or write."Within a few months they (babies) coo and experiment with making sounds. They soon begin to make fine distinctions between sounds in human language such as'ma' and 'da'." (Hill, 2006, p.116) These sounds are called **phonemes** and they are the basis of the words we speak. Parents encourage their children to learn these sounds and then link them with the learning of the alphabet through simple yet effective strategies such as the alphabet song. Click on the link below to listen to an example of the alphabet song complete with illustrations of the accompanying letters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fw3l1z9CUQ&feature=email

This song is one way of helping children to devlop phoemic awareness, "The conscious attention to the sounds in words." (Hill, 2006, p.119)

 **How can we teach the awareness of phonemes?** According to Hill (2006,p.208) "There are approximately 44 sounds or phonemes." There are many ways to introduce students to these phonemes. As a student i remember having to clap the syllables of my name, words and later sentences. Clapping syllables helps children develop awareness that words are made up of diferent parts and then can "...begin to understand that there are segments of sounds within syllables-called phonemes." (Hill, 2006,p.133) Some suggest that drawing on a childs love of rhyme helps in the development of phonological skills. Another way which is suggested in Hill (2006,p.135) is to say words in parts to a child and then ask what the word is. for example b-a-ke. This activity requires students to listen to the sounds in the word before putting it together to make the complete word. Whilst browsing youtube I came across a great video whereby phonemes are taught by playing a variation of the game 'Go Fish'. It is an innovative way to help children who are more interactive learners or who may be having trouble grasping the concept of phonemes. The video is a little drawn out but you soon get the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta9mHVZxBDk&feature=email