A syllable is a single, unbroken sound of a spoken (or written) word. It usually contains a vowel sound.

V/CV means a vowel followed by a consonant and then another vowel. The first vowel is usually long.

VC/V means a vowel followed by a consonant and then another vowel. The first vowel is usually short.

The word 'ca/mel' has a V/CV pattern.

The word 'lem/on' has a VC/V pattern.

The word 'cabinet' is divided as 'cab/in/et'.

The word 'tiger' is divided as 'ti/ger'.

The word 'wagon' is divided as 'wag/on'.

A long vowel sounds like the name of the letter (e.g., 'a' in 'cake'), while a short vowel does not (e.g., 'a' in 'cat').

You can clap your hands for each vowel sound you hear in a word to identify syllables.