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Initial Sounds - EYFS / Early Years Activities, Displays and Ideas
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Please note that both Editable (docx file) and non-editable (pdf file) versions are available for our ‘Initial Sounds’ resources. (Editable files require Microsoft Word to work at optimum level and Non-Editable files require a pdf viewer.)
Free ‘Initial Sounds’ Resources
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Create an alphabet line display by lining up these A4 sized cards next to one another. All letters depict the initial sound in a commonly known word apart from ‘x’ which is best depicted in the final sound of ‘fox’. More themes and sizes AVAILABLE HERE.
Please note that if you wish to edit the text you can do so in the EDITABLE docx file version below. NON-EDITABLE pdf file also available below.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
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Animal Alphabet flashcards/posters. Three cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Cards/Flashcards, Alphabet, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Posters/Displays, Reading, Sound Cards, Discussion Prompts, Anteater, Bat, Cow, Dog, Elephant, Frog, Goat, Horse, Iguana, Jellyfish, Kangaroo, Lion, Meerkat, Narwhal, Octopus, Pig, Quail, Rabbit, Squirrel, Tiger, Umbrella Bird, Vulture, Wolf, Fox, Yak, Zebra, Mammals, Birds, Invertebrate, Reptiles, Amphibians, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards/posters. Three cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Posters/Displays, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards/posters. Three cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Posters/Displays, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards. Five cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards. Five cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards. Five cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards. Four cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards. Four cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards. Four cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards/posters. Two cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Posters/Displays, Reading, Sound Cards, Discussion Prompts, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards/posters. Two cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Posters/Displays, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animal Alphabet flashcards/posters. Two cards to an A4 page. Great for exploring world animals and identifying initial sounds alongside knowledge of the alphabet. Please note that the only letter which is not depicted by an initial sound is ‘x’, which we felt would best be demonstrated to children in ‘fox’.
11 additional VARITAIONS OF THIS PACK AVAILABLE HERE. Including size of cards, orientation, upper and lower case letters. Plus initial sound game and puzzles.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Ordering Activities, Phonics, Posters/Displays, Reading, Sound Cards, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Animals to be matched with their initial sound (apart from ‘x’ which we felt would be best demonstrated to children using the final sound in ‘fox’). Each puzzle connection is unique to allow children to self-correct.
Alphabet, Games, Fine Motor, Matching Activities, Observational Skills, Problem Solving, Phonics, Puzzles, Reading, Activity, Group Activity, Using Shapes for Task, Animal Phonics, Anteater, Bat, Cow, Dog, Elephant, Frog, Amphibians, Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Invertebrate, Goat, Horse, Iguana, Jellyfish, Kangaroo, Lion, Meerkat, Narwhal, Octopus, Pig, Quail, Rabbit, Squirrel, Tiger, Umbrella Bird, Vulture, Wolf, Fox, Yak, Zebra, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Each animal card folds over to create a card with an animal picture on one side and the initial sound on the other. Children can try to match letters to animals, match pairs of animals with the same initial sound or just pairs of letters.
Here’s a couple of games to try. Why not…
1. Lay out a selection of cards with the animal pictures facing upwards. Invite the children to find a pair of animals which start with the same initial sound. Turn the chosen pair over to see if they are right and model sounding out the letter sound on the back to check if they are right.
Alternatively…
2. Place 3 cards on a table with animals facing upwards (2 which match and one which doesn’t). Encourage the children to decide which one is the ‘odd one out’. Turn over the cards to see if they are right and model sounding out the letters to check.
Alphabet, Cards/Flashcards, Games, Matching Activities, Observational Skills, Phonics, Problem Solving, Sound Cards, Turn Taking, Snap Cards, Activity, Group Activity, Ant, Anteater, Butterfly, Bumblebee, Cow, Cat, Duck, Dog, Frog, Fly, Goat, Goose, Horse, Hedgehog, Lion, Ladybird, Meerkat, Mouse, Penguin, Pig, Rabbit, Rhinos, Squirrel, Spider, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
These A4 size mats can be laminated for use as playdough mats, or for letter writing practice with a whiteboard pen. Alternatively, they can be part of a loose parts activity.
The first stage is for children to hear the sound that each letter makes in the corresponding animal names. In this set the sounds are all at the beginnings of each word, i.e. the initial sounds (apart from fox which is the final sound to ensure the x makes the relevant sound). At this stage the children will enjoy moulding playdough onto the shapes of the letters and using loose parts lined up to make the letter shapes. This helps to familiarise children with the letters, recognise them and assign sounds to them.
During the final stage, children may express an interest in using mark making tools (a whiteboard pen if you have already laminated the sheet for playdough use) to start to practise fine motor skills and form the letters.
Alphabet, Fine Motor, Laminate to use with w/b pens, Letter Formation, Mark Making/Drawing/Writing, Pencil Control, Playdough/Loose Part Mats, Posters/Displays, Phonics, Reading, Sound Mats, Activity, Zoo, Anteater, Bat, Cow, Dog, Elephant, Frog, Goat, Horse, Iguana, Jellyfish, Kangaroo, Lion, Meerkat, Narwhal, Octopus, Pig, Quail, Rabbit, Squirrel, Tiger, Umbrella Bird, Vulture, Wolf, Fox, Yak, Zebra, Birds, Mammals, Amphibians, Reptiles, Invertebrate, Animal Alphabet/Initial Sounds
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Create an alphabet line display in your early years setting by lining up these A4 sized cards next to one another. All letters depict the initial sound in a commonly known word apart from ‘x’ which is best depicted in the final sound of ‘fox’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
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Create an alphabet line display in your early years setting by lining up these just under A5 sized cards next to one another. All letters depict the initial sound in a commonly known word apart from ‘x’ which is best depicted in the final sound of ‘fox’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
<<-BACK TO NON-TOPIC LITERACY MENU
Ideal for inspiring discussion about words that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Why not encourage children to draw items on each card which begin with the relevant letter sound? Children can take the letter home they have been learning about during the day to promote talk at home or contribute to a class/setting ‘Alphabet display’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Ideal for inspiring discussion about words that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Why not encourage children to draw items on each card which begin with the relevant letter sound? Children can take the letter home they have been learning about during the day to promote talk at home or contribute to a class/setting ‘Alphabet display’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Ideal for inspiring discussion about words that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Why not encourage children to draw items on each card which begin with the relevant letter sound? Children can take the letter home they have been learning about during the day to promote talk at home or contribute to a class/setting ‘Alphabet display’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
Alphabet line/frieze designed for display along a classroom/play room wall. Features capital and lower case letters beside each other in alphabetical order. Picture in the corner of each letter section to demonstrate the sound the letter makes.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
‘Alphabet floor Puzzle’ activity/game ideal to help consolidate the idea of alphabetical order. Why not sing the alphabet song to aid in it’s completion? Also great for turn taking and team work skills. Could be used in conjunction with our ‘Small Alphabet Frieze’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
DOWNLOAD NON-EDITABLE (PDF)
