Home learning ideas
Mathematics
Did you know that different leaves have different number of blades? Have a look around in your garden and see how many different leaves you can find, then count how many blades they have.
Physical Development
Literacy and Speaking
| Age | Child will probably use these sounds | Child may NOT use these sounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 - 2 years | m, n, p, b, t, d sounds | Child may not use sounds at the ends of words |
| 2.5 - 3 years | m, n, p, b, t, d, f, s, w, y, h | Some long sounds like 's, f, v, sh, ch' may not have developed so he may say 'bideo' for video, 'bish' for fish and 'dun' sun. He may not use 'k' and 'g' sounds but use 't' or 'd' instead, such as 'tar' instead of car. |
| 3 - 4 years | m, n, p, b, t, d, k, g, f, v, s, perhaps sh, w, y, h, perhaps I | Blends sounds like 'sp', 'st', 'bl', 'cr' may not have developed so he may say 'poon' for spoon and 'cisps' for 'crisps' |
| 4 - 5 years | m, n, p, b, t, d, k, g, f, v, s, z, sh, ch, j, w, I, y, h, blends may start to develop e.g 'sp', 'st', 'bl', 'cr' | Children often don't learn to use 'th' or 'r' sounds until they are at least 6. Many adults don't use these sounds either and it is unlikely that a speech and language therapist would work on these sounds. |
Useful levels of intelligibility:
By the age of 2.5 years a child's speech should be understood by their close family
By the age of 3 a child's speech should be understood by familiar adults outside the home but it will not be perfect
By the age of 4 a child's speech should be understood most of the time
Consider referral to a speech and language therapist if the pattern of sounds used is delayed by 12 months or if levels of intelligibility are outside those listed above.
Ideas for building phonetic awareness: initial sounds and alliteration
Beanbag or ball throw
Pick two letters and write them each on a piece of paper/chalk them on a dense or wall outside. When the adult says a word beginning with the letter, the child has to throw a beanbag/ball at the letter.
Tip: start with clearly different sounds such as ‘p’ and ‘S’
Nicknames
Make up alliterative nicknames for your family e.g. Greedy Grant, Loud Lucie, Magical Michelle, Busy Bonnie, Shy Char (note the sound is the same not the letters for Char – a tricky one!) and Terrific Tracey.
Sound Stories
Pick a ‘target sound’. For example, let’s say the target sound is ‘s’. Then make up a story with lots of ‘s’ sounds in. Say to the children ‘If you hear a ‘s’ then put your hands on your heads.’ You can really emphasise the sound to start with, but you could make it less obvious if the children get better at the game.
An example of a story could be…’One day Steve the Snake went to the sandy beach. He saw a sea serpent in the sea. The serpent jumped out and slithered towards Steve. He tried to slice him with his teeth!
The child could also make up their own sound story with a basket of props/pictures beginning with the sound.
Alliterative Aliens
Design an alien and then think of an alliterative name. These can be made up words like Wiggly Woo Wingo Wizz.
Children learning letters can add the letter onto the aliens’s outfit but remember that it’s more about the sound of the letter rather than learning the alphabet for this activity.
