Phonological Awareness
Recite a fingerplay or rhyme about owls. Toddlers enjoy singing simple songs and fingerplays, especially when they include sounds or motions. After saying this fingerplay together a few times, your toddler will start to chime in with the sounds and movements.
Five Little Owls
Five little owls (hold up 5 fingers)
On a tree by the shore,
One fell off (move your hand down as if falling and put one finger down),
And then there were four.
Four little owls (hold up 4 fingers),
Flapping their wings so free (move your fingers in a flapping motion),
One flew away (move your hand as if flying away and put another finger down),
And then there were three.
Three little owls (hold up 3 fingers),
Playing peek-a-boo (place fingers over eyes making peek-a-boo motion),
One fell asleep (pretend to sleep and put another finger down),
And then there were two.
Two little owls (hold up 2 fingers),
Dancing and having fun (dance in a circle),
One ran away (move fingers to run away and put another finger down),
And then there was one.
One little owl (hold up 1 finger),
Loved to run and run (jog in place),
He fell down (move your finger as if falling down and hide the last finger),
And then there were none!
For more fun with songs, nursery rhymes and fingerplays, try these books:
Find more recommended children’s books for toddlers 12 to 17 months, or find an easy at-home activity designed to strengthen pre-reading skills in your toddler.
