Syllable Shop is a fun, hands-on game designed to develop students’ phonological awareness by focusing on the essential early reading skill of syllable segmentation. By turning your classroom into a playful market environment, this activity encourages students to count and identify syllables in words while “shopping” for items using matching syllable coins. With colourful mats, engaging item cards, and flexible gameplay options, this resource transforms phonics practice into an exciting real-world experience.

Ideal for small group rotations or teacher-led focus groups, students select items from the Syllable Shop and pay for them with coins that represent the number of syllables in each word. This encourages active listening and helps reinforce students’ ability to break spoken words into syllables. The inclusion of an optional recording sheet allows for follow-up written reflection, supporting transfer of oral language skills to print.

Whether you're looking to introduce syllables, consolidate learning, or provide additional support for students requiring phonological intervention, Syllable Shop is a highly flexible and engaging tool. The added opportunity to incorporate props and imaginative play increases motivation and promotes deeper learning through meaningful contexts. With minimal prep and endless replay value, it’s a perfect fit for any Foundation or Early Years classroom.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Strengthen phonological awareness by identifying and counting syllables
• ✅ Develop oral language skills through discussion and vocabulary use
• ✅ Build listening and segmentation abilities essential for early reading
• ✅ Encourage real-world role play, communication, and turn-taking
• ✅ Support fine motor development through coin and card handling

What’s Included:

• Syllable Shop Mats featuring fruit and vegetable themes
• Syllable Item Cards with colourful images and word labels
• Syllable Coins (1–4 syllables) for interactive gameplay
• Optional Recording Sheet for drawing and syllable tracking
• Instructions for setup, variations, and extension ideas

Materials Needed:

• Printed shop mats, item cards, coins, and optional recording sheets
• Scissors, glue, and thick card or write-and-wipe sleeves for durability
• Optional props: baskets, aprons, play food, or toy purses
• Pencils or markers for recording sheets

How to Use:

• Print and prepare all components before starting the activity
• Arrange the shop mats and item cards to create a market display
• Students act as shoppers and select an item to buy
• They segment the word, count the syllables, and pay with matching coins
• Optionally, students complete the Recording Sheet by drawing the items they purchased and writing the syllable count

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Set up as a permanent literacy rotation station with rotating items and themes
• 💡 Use in small group interventions with clapping or visual supports for syllable segmentation
• 💡 Invite classroom aides or parent helpers to act as shopkeepers and scaffold vocabulary
• 💡 Incorporate themed vocabulary based on seasons, celebrations, or classroom topics

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Add props like toy food, baskets, or aprons to enhance the imaginative play element
• 💛 Support EAL/D or younger students by clapping or using counters to segment syllables
• 💛 Extend learning with a syllable sorting challenge after shopping; group items by 1, 2, 3, or 4 syllables
• 💛 Link with maths by tallying coins spent for simple addition practise

Syllable Shop is a dynamic and playful way to reinforce syllable awareness through imaginative role play and engaging resources. Add this flexible activity to your literacy toolkit and give students a market experience they won’t forget, while building critical phonological skills along the way.