Activities focused on recognizing and hearing sounds that go with specific letters help children sound out words when they begin to read. This activity can also be played at home where you mimic different sounds.

Visit a park, library, backyard or anywhere you hear different sounds from your house. Put your baby on your lap facing you and listen quietly. When you hear a sound, make an excited face and ask your child, "Did you hear that? It is a ..."With older children, ask them to close their eyes and listen carefully, and ask them "What did you hear?" "What else do you hear?"