State and Model the Objective
Tell the children that they will find things that little lions like while they listen for words that begin with the /l/ sound, such as ladybug, lemon, and lollipop. 

Literacy Activities
Little lions like things with the /l/ sound

• Give each child a little lion headband to wear (optional). 
• Explain to the children that these little lions only like things that being with the /l/ sound. 
• Have the children take turns choosing a picture card out of the bowl. 
  • If the picture card begins with the /l/ sound, have the children say, “Little lions like ___ (the picture on the card).” 
  • If the picture card does not begin with the /l/ sound, have the children say, “Little lions do not like ___ (the picture on the card),” and place the card in a discard pile.
• When the game is over, have the children identify the picture cards in the /l/ sound pile again as you emphasize the /l/ sound.

More Practice
Identify the target sound

• Help the children think of things starting with the /l/ sound that little lions might like (e.g., lollipops, lettuce, lemonade). 
• Suggest some words that do not start with the /l/ sound and ask the children if they think a little lion would like those things.
  • If the children say no, have them repeat, “Little lions don’t like ___ (e.g., paper)!”
  • If the children say yes to a non-/l/ word, say the /l/ sound again and ask if the non-/l/ word starts with that sound, supporting as needed.
• Give your “little lions” a lollipop to lick (optional).