Singing the ABCs is a great way to learn them but there are so many other ways to teach your kids these important lessons. There’s no doubt that the best way to learn new concepts is through play. Here are a few fun alphabet games you can play in the classroom or at home.
1. Alphabet Order Game
The alphabet order game is important because it solidifies the importance of not only the names of the letters but their order as well. To play the alphabet order game, you’ll first have to print out these free flashcards. Mix them all up and pass out one to each student. Some students may get more than one if you have a large class. Next, sing the alphabet song slowly. When a student hears their letter, they have to stand up, show everyone their flashcard, and shout the name of the letter out loud. Speed up the game as they get the hang of it.
2. Alphabet Line Bingo
This game will help the kids practice the names of letters or alphabet sounds. Print out some alphabet flash cards first. Start off with just six to eight letters. Give each child a set of the flashcards and tell them to arrange them in a line, horizontally, in any order of their choosing. Next, call out a letter or make the sound of the letter. The children have to then find where that letter is in their line.
They can turn over the letter if it’s on the right or left hand side. If it’s in the middle, they can’t turn it over. Call another letter and so on and so on. The first person to turn over all their cards wins. To play another game, everyone mixes up their cards and makes a new line. As they get better at the game, increase how many cards you give each child.
3. Alphabet Whisper Game
Write all the letters on a white board. Divide the class or playgroup into two teams, positioning them in a line at the board. Hand an eraser to the first student in the line. Stand at the end and whisper a letter to the last child on each team. At “Go!”, each student whispers the letter to the next student in line until it gets to the first student. When they hear the letter, they race to the board and erase it. The first team that erases the letter gets a point. Points are detracted if the wrong letter ends up at the front of the line. Repeat until all letters are erased. The team with the most points wins. This fun twist on the game of telephone will be sure to delight your students.
4. Alphabet Memory Game
Using the printable flash cards from the above games, show one of the flashcards to the children, telling them the letter and sound it makes. Locate an object in the classroom that starts with that letter. Place the card next to it, such as B for book or D for desk. Once you have placed eight cards around the room or classroom, say one of the letters and ask the kids to try and remember the location of the card. This activity helps them recall the name of the letter as well as what it sounds like. Once all letters have been found, start again with the next set of letters.
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The ABCs are the foundation of our language system. We believe it’s important to make learning fun, as kids learn better when they are enjoying what they are doing. Come see us in action when you book a tour of our Austin or San Antonio facilities. We offer infant, toddler, preschool, and after school care with a curriculum that emphasizes learning with a fun twist.
