Games

Here’s the truth about sight word flashcards: they work. And kids hate them. After about two weeks, most children’s enthusiasm for “show me the card, say the word” drops to zero. And that’s a problem, because sight word automaticity requires hundreds of exposures to each word before it truly sticks. The solution isn’t to abandon practice. It’s to disguise it as play. These 10 games deliver the repetition children need while keeping the energy high enough that they’ll ask to play again tomorrow. ...

The fastest way to kill a child’s enthusiasm for reading? Make it feel like homework. These 15 phonics activities require little prep, no special materials (mostly), and — most importantly — kids ask to play them again. Letter Sound Activities (Pre-K to Kindergarten) 1. Sound Safari Pick a letter sound and go hunting around your home for things that start with that sound. “We’re hunting for /s/ — snake, sun, sock…” Do it in the car looking out the window. Race to find 10 things. ...