We have been working on putting words together and taking them apart. These skills are very helpful to the children when they are reading and writing.  It can be something that you practice at home and have fun with.  For instance to practice blending words you may play object hunt.  You can tell them to go get the c-a-t (saying the sounds seperately).  They need to blend the word together and realize it is the cat that you want.  Now it is their turn - so they have to segment a word or take it apart in order to give you an instruction.  They may say "Bring me a d-i-sh."  **It is important to begin these activities with words that only have 2-3 sounds in them and as they get stronger at them then try 4 sounds.  Have fun!