June 28th, 2010 Preschool out of sequence alphabet letter game Posted by Melitsa in language, play activities

Do they know the alphabet?

Rote learning is great but we need make sure that they can identify letters individually.
I’m talking to myself here because I noticed that pointing to a letter on the alphabet at random meant that the MO sang the alphabet song quietly to himself until he got to the letter.
I was happy he had a strategy for the letter but realised that most of his alphabet practice was this. He has a good knowledge of more than 75% of the letters but there are about 50% that he sometimes gets wrong if taken out of sequence.

This was news to me.

Being a tactile learner and a big brother that is just dying to help out. We devised a simple game that is perfect for siblings to do together. That time when you’re trying to make dinner or special time with your preschooler.

Gather together sets of alphabet. We used the magnetic ABC from the fridge and the ones from the puzzle.
Drop them in a deep piece of tupperware with a lid.

Cover with rice.

Rules of the game

• MO gets a lucky dip ( no peeking)
• BG counts on his fingers 54321 ( no sound) holds them up or taps on the table.
• MO has to say the letter before the time is up.
• If the MO says the correct letter then he keeps the letter.
• If he doesn’t then the BG tells him the letter and keeps the letter.
• Whoever has the most letters wins.

Pop the lid on and whip out this game in a spare moment.

The MO and the BG played for a long time and have enjoyed it ever since.

Yes his alphabet recognition out of sequence is improving

I’m sure this activity can be extended for numbers and nouns……..

Melitsa Avila is a former teacher, mother of three boys and military wife who talks about living an intentional play lifestyle using practical and everyday play activities to do with the under 5s. She publishes related ebooks & newsletters. Melitsa is the host and producer of a weekly Early Childhood radio show: Raising Playful Tots bringing parents and carers together with Early childhood practitioners. Thanks for reading!

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