Zoophonics is a program we (kindergarten teachers) use to help your children learn the letter sounds. It's a fun way to get kids moving and learning at the same time. Children love it!
(Below is a detailed introduction from the Zoophonics website explaining the program)
(Below is a detailed introduction from the Zoophonics website explaining the program)
Introduction to Zoophonics
Words from the website...
Children are so ready for learning, however, it is difficult at best to teach them through abstract methods and materials – they do not understand abstractions. Make it concrete, however, and there is no limit to what they can learn.
The problem with learning how to read and spell is that the alphabet is too abstract. So we made it concrete! Our Animal Letters are delightful and memorable. Here’s why: A bear is a bear, is a bear, no matter how you turn him!
The problem with learning how to read and spell is that the alphabet is too abstract. So we made it concrete! Our Animal Letters are delightful and memorable. Here’s why: A bear is a bear, is a bear, no matter how you turn him!
Can you say this about a "b"?
b d p q
The Zoo-phonics methodology fully involves your child’s eyes, ears, mouth and body as they learn phonemic awareness, the alphabet and how to decode (read) and encode (spell/write).
Zoo-phonics is so playful. Watch baby animals as they play. They are in constant motion as they wrestle, jump, roll, snarl, yip and growl. This is important preparation for adulthood. The same goes for your child. They’re in constant motion and they love to make noise. So let’s use what is natural for them and channel it for learning! If they are moving, they have fun and they are processing information through this important movement and sound production!
Zoo-phonics has a strong parent component because we know that training you to help your child is crucial. And you’ll both have so much fun as you “play” Zoo-phonics.
For Pre-K and Kindergarteners
Children at this age can learn the whole alphabet in a week! Yes, that’s right. You can teach the sounds and shapes of the entire 26 letters of the alphabet in a week or less! After all, you are just showing them animals and doing appropriate animal “wiggles.” The secret is our exclusive Animal Letters and the Body Signals or Movements that go with them!
You’ll then reinforce this instruction with our fun games, music and activities. Young children are in constant motion and they love to make noise. So let’s use what is natural for them and channel it for learning! If they are moving, they have fun and they are processing information through this important movement and sound production!
When they’re ready, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly that will come around, you can move on to the other levels of the program.
b d p q
The Zoo-phonics methodology fully involves your child’s eyes, ears, mouth and body as they learn phonemic awareness, the alphabet and how to decode (read) and encode (spell/write).
Zoo-phonics is so playful. Watch baby animals as they play. They are in constant motion as they wrestle, jump, roll, snarl, yip and growl. This is important preparation for adulthood. The same goes for your child. They’re in constant motion and they love to make noise. So let’s use what is natural for them and channel it for learning! If they are moving, they have fun and they are processing information through this important movement and sound production!
Zoo-phonics has a strong parent component because we know that training you to help your child is crucial. And you’ll both have so much fun as you “play” Zoo-phonics.
For Pre-K and Kindergarteners
Children at this age can learn the whole alphabet in a week! Yes, that’s right. You can teach the sounds and shapes of the entire 26 letters of the alphabet in a week or less! After all, you are just showing them animals and doing appropriate animal “wiggles.” The secret is our exclusive Animal Letters and the Body Signals or Movements that go with them!
You’ll then reinforce this instruction with our fun games, music and activities. Young children are in constant motion and they love to make noise. So let’s use what is natural for them and channel it for learning! If they are moving, they have fun and they are processing information through this important movement and sound production!
When they’re ready, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly that will come around, you can move on to the other levels of the program.
Practice, practice, practice...
Please help your child learn the letter sounds by doing the animal motions and sounds at home daily. Below you will see the practice sheet with the animals on it and a directions sheet to help you learn the animal motions. There also is a video you can watch of one of Hale Kula's finest performing the sounds and motions. Make sure your child is isolating the sound ex. /d/ not /duh/ or /r/ not /ruh/. Get ready for some animal fun!