Rhyming words are words that have the same ending sound. Learning to hear rhymes helps children become strong readers by recognizing word patterns and sounds.
Recognizing rhyming words helps children hear how sounds work in spoken language. This builds phonological awareness, which is a key early reading skill. Rhyming also supports memory and listening skills.
Two words rhyme if they have the same ending sound, even if they start with different letters. Rhyming words usually share the same vowel and ending sounds.
Say a word out loud, then ask your child to name a word that rhymes. For example: “What rhymes with log?” – “dog!”
Sing songs or nursery rhymes that have repeating sound patterns. Point out the rhyming words as you sing.
Give a set of words and sort them into groups that rhyme. Talk about the sound that stays the same.
Show a word like top and give choices like pop and pen. Ask which one rhymes with the word.
Draw pictures of rhyming pairs, like a cat and a hat, then say the words out loud to practice the sound.
Some words look alike but do not rhyme. Others sound alike but are spelled differently. Listening carefully helps!
Hearing rhymes helps children learn how language works. When you listen, laugh, and rhyme together, you are helping your child become a joyful and confident reader.