Rhyme and Jump

What you need

• a line of masking tape on the floor, or a chalk line outside

How to do it

1. Stand side by side behind the line.
2. Say two words. If they rhyme, like cat and hat, jump over the line. If they don't, like cat and dog, stay still.
3. Jump back behind the line and try another pair, mixing rhymes and not-rhymes so they have to listen.
4. Let your child say the two words for you, and make a few silly mistakes so they can catch you out.

Why it matters

They have to listen right to the end of both words before deciding, and a right answer is rewarded with a big leap.

What they're learning

Hearing a rhyme

Same ending, different start.

Two-footed jumps

Taking off and landing together.

Waiting to decide

No jumping until the second word.

What to look for

Notice them saying the two words again to themselves before they jump.

A tip

Made-up words count. Cat and zat rhyme, and that deserves a jump.

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