Kindergarten Activity No. 51 : Counting Words in a Sentence

Counting words in a sentence, known as sentence segmentation, is a phonological awareness activity. Phonological awareness is the ability to listen to the sounds in a word. Phonological awareness prepares children for reading and writing. Teaching children to hear the words in a sentence is the first step in phonological awareness. It makes children aware that a sentence is made up of words.

Since this activity focuses on phonological awareness, it is important not to show the written sentences to the children.

For this activity you need:

A 5 square strip of paper (you can make it from a piece of cardboard paper or from a cereal box).

For counting you can use either bottle caps, buttons, counters, or circle cut outs.

Instructions:

Put the counters on the board and tell your child that each counter represents a word.

2. Explain to your child that you are going to say a sentence twice. Emphasise the importance of listening carefully.

Say a simple sentence, for example: “The dog runs”.

3. Tell your child that you are going to say the sentence again. Say the words in the sentence clearly, while making sure to pause after each word. This time s/he must repeat the sentence after you while putting a counter, onto the square on the grid, for each word s/he says.

While saying – ‘The dog runs’, your child should put three counters on the grid.

4. When finished repeat the sentence together. While saying the sentence point to the counters one a time.

5. Ask your child: “How many words does this sentence have?”

The child should say: “3”

Note:

Start this activity with short sentences, then gradually increase the length of the sentences.
Have the child place the caps from left to right, as this will help for directionality.

Variation: The child can also clap or stomp the words in a sentence. Say the complete sentence and then encourage him/her to repeat the sentence while clapping or stomping for each word. This activity can also be done while reading story books.

Example of sentences to use