Rhyme Time
A listening game: find the word that starts with the same sound.
Recommended age: 3 to 5 yearsWhat the game is about
Rhyme Time is a game for the ears. A word appears with its picture, along with a few options. Your child finds the one that starts with the same sound. For example, for "sun," look for the other word that also starts with "s."
It might look simple, but it builds one of the skills most closely linked to later reading success: phonological awareness, the ability to notice that words are made of sounds that can be separated, compared and combined.
Pictures make the game playable without knowing how to read, using only the name of each object.
How to play, step by step
- Look at the main picture and say its name out loud.
- Listen for the first sound of the word.
- Look at the options and say each one's name.
- Tap the one that starts the same way.
- Get it right and move on to the next word.
What your child learns
- Phonological awareness. Noticing the sounds that make up words.
- Getting ready to read. Identifying first sounds comes before linking letters and sounds.
- Careful listening. Paying attention to how words sound, not only what they mean.
- Vocabulary. Each round introduces words with pictures.
What to expect at each age
| Age | What is typical |
|---|---|
| Age 3 | Enjoys rhymes and songs; picking out first sounds usually needs help. |
| Age 4 | Recognizes rhymes easily and starts hearing the first sound of familiar words. |
| Age 5 | Identifies the first sound of many words and can suggest others that start the same way. |
How to play together
Say the words slowly, stretching the first sound: "Ssssun, sssock." Then make up other words together that start the same way. Silly made-up words count too; the point is playing with sounds.
If your child gets it wrong, no problem. Say the two words slowly side by side and ask, "Do they sound the same at the start?"
Take it off the screen
- Sing nursery rhymes and pause before the rhyming word so your child can fill it in.
- Play I Spy with sounds instead of letter names: "I spy something that starts with mmm."
- Read rhyming books and exaggerate the words that sound alike.
- Clap once for each syllable in family members' names: "Ma-ri-sa" is three claps.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to read?
No. Words come with pictures and the game is played by sound alone.
Why sounds and not letters?
Before learning letters, kids need to notice that words are made of sounds.
Will it help my child speak more clearly?
It encourages careful listening and builds vocabulary. If you're concerned about speech, talk to your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist.
Parent tip
Nursery rhymes and riddles build this skill too. Playing with sounds is one of the best steps toward reading, and you can do it anywhere.
Further reading
- Phonological awareness: the pre-reading skill you can build through play
- How to teach colors to a 3-year-old without the pressure