Silly Soup
To develop phonological awareness through playful alliteration games with initial sounds.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Communication & Language
- Learning area: Communication and Language
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Hears and identifies initial sounds
- Selects objects beginning with target sounds
- Joins in with repeated refrains
- Shows enjoyment in playing with sounds
Materials
- Large pot or cauldron
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Collection of small objects grouped by initial sound
- Silly Soup song lyrics
Instructions
Sing the Silly Soup song: 'I'm making silly soup, I'm making soup that's silly, I'm going to cook it in the fridge to make it nice and chilly!' Children stir the pot with the spoon.
Hold up objects one at a time: 'Sausage! Sausage starts with ssss. Sock! Sock starts with ssss too! They both start the same—in the soup they go!'
Invite children to choose objects: 'Can you find something else that starts with ssss? Snake? Yes! Ssssnake—in the soup!'
Keep it playful—this is about hearing sounds, not formal phonics. If children choose a non-matching object, gently model: 'Ball—that starts with buh. Let's save that for buh soup next time!'