State and Model the Objective
Tell the children that they will go to a pretend dollar store and buy things as they listen for words that start with the /d/ sound, like a dress, drop, and drool.

Literacy Activities

Drop a dollar for things that start with /d/

• Set up a store with objects that do/don't start with the /d/ sound (e.g., dress, daisy, donkey, mug, rooster) or use picture cards (optional).
• Pass out pretend dollar bills to the children and explain that they should only buy things beginning with the /d/ sound, then invite the children to choose objects to buy at the “Dollar Store.”
• When the children have decided what they want to buy, have them take turns dropping their dollars on the desk and saying, “I drop my dollar for the ___ (e.g., doll)!" 
  • If the child is confused as to what object(s) start with the /d/ sound, ask, "Does doll start with the /d/ sound?"

More Practice

Recognize and produce the /d/ sound

• When you have finished playing, have the children tell you the /d/ sound items they saw in the store as you make a list on a whiteboard or chart.
• As you read the list back to the children, allow the children to do a dance and make the /d/ sound any time they hear something on the list that begins with the /d/ sound. 
• When you finish reading through the list, have the children tell another child what they dropped their dollar for at the “Dollar Store” (e.g., “I dropped my dollar for a dress.”).