Before children can read words, they need to know the sounds of letters. This game gives children practice in matching sounds and letters.
What you'll need:
* A set of index cards or pieces of paper on which you've written a few capital letters of the alphabet--one letter on each card. Make another set with the same letters. Start with 8 to 10 letters. Add more letters as your child learns more.
What to do:
* Mix up the alphabet cards and place them face down on the table.
Tell your child, "We're going to play a game in which you try to find two of the same sounds. When you find two that are the same and you say the sound, you get to pick up the cards. Let me show you how."
Turn over one card (for example, T ) and say the sound t. Turn over another card (for example, S) and say the sound s. Ask, "Are the sounds the same?" Your child says no. "That's right, they are not the same, so I don't get to pick them up."
"It's your turn to find the ones that are the same." Your child turns over one card and says the sound, then picks a second card and says the sound. If they are the same, your child gets to keep the cards. Then your child gets to pick two more cards. If the cards are not the same, turn the cards face down and have your child try again.
If your child does not know the sound, say "This sound is s."
The goal of the game is to pick up all the cards.
READ*WRITE*NOW Activities for Reading and Writing Fun - May 1997
