Same Reading › Hearing sounds › Rhyming and syllable clapping
Why do kids practice rhyming and clapping syllables?
Rhyming means hearing that words end the same way, like cat and hat. Clapping syllables means hearing the beats in a word: but-ter-fly gets three claps. Both train young ears to hear the parts of words, before letters come into it.
- Rhymes share an ending sound: cat, hat.
- Syllables are the beats: one clap for each.
- All by ear. No reading needed.
Why schools teach it
The first step toward hearing single sounds
Kindergartners recognize and make rhymes (RF.K.2a) and count, blend and split syllables (RF.K.2b). These are the easiest ways to notice that words have parts, which leads to the harder work of hearing single sounds, like the /c/ in cat.
Songs, nursery rhymes and silly word games do most of this work naturally. It's quick, playful practice rather than worksheets.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
Do cat and hat rhyme? How about cat and dog?
Can you think of a word that rhymes with sun?
Silly words count: zun is fine.Clap the parts in your name.
Names are favorite practice words.How many claps in banana?
Skip this
- Turning it into a drill.Keep it to songs, books and car games.
- Asking for rhymes of tricky words.Start with easy endings like -at, -op and -ig.
- Clapping letters instead of beats.One clap per syllable, not per letter.
See it in action
A one-minute rhyme and clap game
Say two words. Thumbs up if they rhyme
pig / wig: yes · pig / pot: noAsk for a rhyme
“What rhymes with bug?” rug, mug, hugClap a long word together
di-no-saur: 3 claps
A hand under the chin helps: the jaw drops once for each syllable.
Free practice sheet
Make a rhyming and clapping sheet
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Fridge cheat sheets
Reading Fridge Cheat Sheets
Every reading method in one printable book (107 pages): a cheat sheet page like this guide, plus a practice sheet and its answer key for each, in Classic and handwritten Notebook styles. $9 one time, or all 7 subjects for $29.99. See all prices.
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Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
My child can't rhyme yet. Is that a problem?
It's common in preschool and early kindergarten. Rhyming books and songs help. Mention it to the teacher if it's still hard midway through kindergarten.
Do silly words count as rhymes?
Yes. Hearing the ending sound is the skill, real word or not.
Why clap syllables?
It's the easiest way to notice that words have parts. Later, kids use syllables to read long words.
What books help?
Any rhyming picture book. Pause before the rhyming word and let your child fill it in.