Hearing the difference between sounds in words (auditory discrimination)  

Materials:

- Copy of printable minimal pairs words for the target sounds – if you are unable to print, you could draw some pictures using the pairs of words on the list.

- 2 boxes/containers – you could make your own post boxes using this template and sticking it to a cardboard box.

- Paper cut into envelope shapes or click here for a printable template.

Instructions:

1.      Choose one pair of words, e.g. ‘door’ and ‘saw’ and attach one to the front of each box/container.

2.      Explain to your child that each of the boxes has a word with a different sound. You are going to say a word and they have to post a letter into the right box.

3.      Show your child how to do this.

4.      Say the words in a random order so your child has to listen to the difference between the word and choose the correct one.

5.      If your child gets the wrong word, talk it through with them and show them which sound you used.

6.      Swap minimal pairs after a while, e.g. change ‘door’ and ‘saw’ to ‘duck’ and ‘suck’.

- 2 x pieces of paper and pen

- 2 x toy cars or vehicles

- Copy of printable minimal pairs words for the target sounds – if you are unable to print, you could draw some pictures using the pairs of words on the list.

- optional print out racetrack

Instructions:

1.      Draw a racetrack on each piece of paper – spilt the racetrack into sections. Alternatively use the printable race track template.

2.      At the end of each racetrack, put a card from you pair of words, e.g. 'tea' and 'key'.

3.      Put a car at the start of each racetrack.

4.      Explain to the child that when they hear you say one of the words, they have to move the car on the correct racetrack for that word.

5.      Say the words in a random order so your child doesn’t work out a pattern.

6.      The game ends when one of the race cars reaches the end of the track.

- some wooden/plastic building blocks.

- Copy of printable minimal pairs words for the target sounds – if you are unable to print, you could draw some pictures using the pairs of words on the list.

1. Choose one a pair of words that contain the sound you are working on and lay them out in front of you.

2. Explain to your child that when you say a word, they have to place a block next to the picture. 

3. Continue saying the words at random - the child places the blocks next to the picture building a tower. Continue until one of the towers falls down.