by Randa Morris

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: January 26, 2012

Helping children learn to read phonetically doesn't have to be a chore. Children learn best through activities that engage and inspire them. Teaching children through play is one useful strategy that parents and teachers can employ to help youngsters develop essential early reading skills. Each of the following games will help students learn a variety of phonetic skills, while engaging their interest and maximizing all of the learning potential that is hidden within a child's natural desire to play.

1. How many things can you think of that start with...

Give children a phonics sound, (either a one-letter sounds such as "b" or a combination of letters such as "ch" or "th").

Have them take turns naming foods, animals, people (or whatever else you choose) that start with the sound given.

You may also want to have them work together in teams to see which team can think of the most items that fit into the category given.

2. Pin the A on the apple.

You will need a set of plain white index cards for this game.

Write the letter, or phonetic sound that you want to practice on each of the cards.

Give children the cards and a small piece of tape for each card.

Challenge children to find something that starts with the letter (or sound) and tape their card to it. (C is for couch, ch is for chair, F is for floor etc...)

Keep playing until all the cards are used up.

3. How many things in the room start with........

Play this game by asking children to find all of the things in the room that start with a certain letter, or phonetic sound.

Children can take turns going to an object, or you may have them all start at the same time, asking everyone to try to find something different.

For children who are learning letter identification, hold up a card with the letter with the letter printed on it, rather than saying the name of the letter.

4. Eye spy phonics style.......

This is the classic game of "eye spy" with a phonetic twist.

Select an object within plain sight.

Instead of saying "eye spy something blue, (or green or yellow)" you would say,"eye spy something that starts with......."

Children then try to guess what the object is.

Variations of these games:

To increase the difficulty level, play each of these games using "ends with", rather than starts with. Examples include: "How many words can you think of that end with...... "Pin the "ch" on the couch (instead of the chair). Eye spy something that ends with "K" etc...

Challenge older students with 2-letter games, such as "I spy something that begins with "B" and ends with "d", or ask them to think of words that have a "cl" sound at the beginning, or an "st".

As children become more advanced in skill, you can challenge them to find objects that have two vowels in the middle, that end with e, that contain 2 vowel sounds etc...

Keep in mind that children need to learn how letters sound, as well as what they look like. Play games that involve seeing letters, as well as hearing how they sound to be certain that children are making the connection between what they see and what they hear.

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