Hot Chocolate Beginning Sounds Match Winter Phonics Game

Make listening for initial sounds in words FUN with this beginning sounds match! Use this hot cocoa themed phonics activity in December, January, and February. The winter printables has kindergarten, pre-k, and first grade students sort the phonics marshmallows into the correct alphabet mugs based on the beginning sounds for kids. Add this phonics printable to your winter theme for literacy. Simply print pdf file with the beginning sounds game to make learning fun even if it is cold and snowy outside!

Beginning Sounds Game

This super cute, hands on phonics activity helps early readers practice listening for beginning sounds in words and matching them with the alphabet letter that also makes that same sound. Simply print initial sounds printable for a super cute, free printable initial sounds game for preschoolers, kindergartners, and grade 1 students.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – you will love this initial sounds activity for teaching children to sort words by beginning sounds of words. Use this as extra practice, winter break learning, winter literacy theme in your classroom, or as a supplement to your homeschool phonics curriculum.

Plus don’t miss our snowglobe craft, make a puffy paint snowman, and free alphabet printables!

Beginning Sounds

Beginning sounds, also known as initial sounds or phonemes, are the first sounds in a word that help us identify and distinguish between different words. For instance, in the word “cat,” the beginning sound is /k/, while in “dog,” it’s /d/. These sounds are crucial for early literacy skills and play a foundational role in reading and writing.

Why are beginning sounds so important? Here are a few key points:

• Language Development: Learning beginning sounds helps children develop their listening skills, which are essential for following conversations and instructions.
• Phonemic Awareness: Mastering beginning sounds is a key part of phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in words. This skill is essential for reading success!
• Vocabulary Expansion: By focusing on beginning sounds, children can better categorize words and increase their vocabulary. For instance, when children learn that “bat,” “ball,” and “bee” all start with the /b/ sound, they can create connections among these words.
• Spelling and Writing: Recognizing and using beginning sounds can support spelling and writing skills. When children sound out the first letter of a word, they’re taking a crucial step in the writing process.

Beginning sounds match

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _____ <<. The beginning sounds printables pdf file will open in a new window for you to save the freebie and print the template.

Hot Chocolate Activities

Start out by printing all the pages in color on cardstock and/or laminate for durability. You will have a cup of hot chocolate for every letter from A to Z and about four picture marshmallows per letter.

Winter Activity for Kindergarten

Next, cut out all the cups of hot chocolate and the marshmallows. All the pieces easily store in a large ziplock bag to use over and over again!

This is such a fun, hands on educational activity to help kids improve literacy skills!

Winter Phonics

For the youngest learners, just set out a couple of hot cocoa cups with their corresponding marshmallows at a time. Students will then sort the marshmallows into the correct alphabet hot chocolate cups by listening for the beginning sound in each picture marshmallow.

Winter Activity for Kindergarten

Once students have mastered matching marshmallows with just a few cups, add in more cups to make it more difficult.  This is such a great phonics activity to help beginner readers learn to decipher words!

Hot Chocolate Printables

Looking for more hot cocoa themed printable activities to make learning fun? Try these free resources: