If your child thinks cat and cup rhyme because they start alike, put the written words aside for this game and say the pairs aloud. The printed examples below are prompts for you; your child doesn’t need to read, spell or write anything.
Say a pair first
Begin with a clear example: “Cat, hat.”
Say the words naturally, then add: “They sound the same at the end: cat, hat.”
In these one-syllable words, the vowel sound and every sound after it match. Repeat the pair once so your child can hear the shared ending. Listening or repeating is a perfectly useful way to join in.
Try a different ending
Now say: “Cat, cup.”
Follow it with: “They start the same, but listen to the ends: cat, cup.” The beginnings match, but the vowel sounds and the rest of the endings don’t.
You could also say cat, sit. Both words finish with a t sound, but the whole spoken ending needs to match for the words to rhyme. These examples keep the focus on what your child hears, rather than what the words look like.
Leave room for their word
Once you’ve modelled a match, ask: “Cat, hat—what else could join?”
Hearing that two words rhyme and thinking of another rhyming word are different jobs. If your child is unsure, make the turn easier by offering a spoken choice: “Mat or sun?” You can also supply mat and invite them to say cat, mat with you.
If they offer cup, say: “Cat, cup—the beginnings match. Listen to cat, mat. Those endings match.”
The NSW Department of Education’s guidance for parents also suggests taking turns to say rhyming words. Keep the exchange relaxed: offer a word, hear their response and help when it’s needed.
Let a made-up word join in
If your child says zat with the same ending as cat, respond directly: “Zat is a made-up word with the same ending sound.”
Then move into another playful turn. You might answer with mat, repeat cat, zat together or invent another silly rhyme.
Use the way your family speaks
Listen to the words as your child and family usually pronounce them. Accents and home languages can change whether two endings sound alike. If a pair doesn’t rhyme in your family’s speech, choose another pair instead of labelling a familiar pronunciation wrong.
Try “Dog, log” together. You can offer frog, repeat a pair or simply listen. After a few enjoyable turns, leave another rhyme for next time.