• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching Expertise

  • Home
  • Classroom Ideas
  • Technology
  • Teacher’s Life
  • Deals & Shopping
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Classroom Ideas
  • Technology
  • Teacher’s Life
  • Deals & Shopping
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

30 Non-Traditional Preschool Reading Activities 

September 20, 2022 //  by Rachel Cruz

If you have a child about to enter preschool or kindergarten, you may be looking for some pre-reading or writing activities to prepare them for success. Literacy isn't always about books and reading. In this article, we have put together 30 teacher-recommended literacy activities you can do with your preschooler to ensure they develop to their fullest potential.

1. Sandpaper Letter Tracing

6a0147e1d4f40f970b01bb08aa2c09970d-800wi

Sandpaper letter tracing not only prepares your students for writing, but for letter recognition! This activity allows your children to practice their fine motor skills, and letter shapes and can be extended to any reading level. Children can move from writing and reading the letters to CVC words and more!

Learn more: How We Montessori

2. Nomenclatures

Parts of the Leaf

Nomenclatures have originated from the Montessori method that prepares your preschoolers for reading. This pre-reading skill allows students to match pictures to words and words to words, allowing them to develop their letter and reading skills by the way the words look, and also learn the vocabulary at the same time!

Learn more: Google

3. Beginning Sound Picture Matching

T-L-5368-Initial-Sounds-Peg-Matching-Game_ver_6.jpg

Beginning sound picture matching is the ideal reading activity for any preschooler. This activity for preschoolers allows students to say the word and identify the beginning sound of each letter. That is a great way to practice letter sounds and recognition.

Learn more: Pinterest

4. Letter Scavenger Hunts

Alphabet-Scavenger-Hunt-cover.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1

Preschoolers need to learn the names of the letters and the sound of each letter. This scavenger hunt allows preschoolers to be active and explore, while they are engaged in this alphabet hunt. This activity can be adjusted for any reading level and can be used for finding things that begin with each letter as well!

Learn more: The Many Little Joys

5. Clue Game

storytelling-with-objects-1024x768.jpg

The clue game is an excellent way to teach your preschooler letter sounds. Fill a basket with random items that start with different letters. Then begin to say, "I'm thinking of an object! It starts with the letter/sound...." Then your child can use their literacy skills to find the object that you are thinking of!

Learn more: Bright Little Owl

6. Reading, Reading, and Re-Reading

61KmU71nN2L.jpg

Bob's Book Series are the perfect books for preschoolers that a recommended by teachers. These decodable books have various levels and begin by introducing CVC words. Your preschooler will feel accomplished the moment they finish this book, as they learn how to blend letters and read on their own!

Learn more: Amazon

7. Story Sequencing Cards

ff955x?wid=800&fmt=jpeg&qlt=85,1&pscan=auto&op_sharpen=0&resMode=sharp2&op_usm=1,0.65,6,0

Sequencing is a crucial reading skill, but it can be difficult to learn. To prepare your preschooler for reading, use story sequencing cards from their favorite books. this will keep them engaged and show them concepts of first, before, and after. These cards can have words, or only pictures depending on your preschooler's literacy level. Either way, your child can develop their narrative skills with this fun activity.

Learn more: Lakeshore Learning

8. Sight Word Jumping

Frog-Hop-Sight-Word-Game-3.jpg

If you are looking to get your child moving while reading, then use sight word jumping! All you need is some chalk and a place to write! Sight words prepare each child for reading and this gross motor game will make learning even more fun!

Learn more: Fun Learning for Kids

9. Moveable Alphabet 

IMG_2770.jpg

The moveable alphabet is similar to magnetic letters, yet they are put on the floor. Students can begin this activity by looking at an object and trying to spell it based on their letter knowledge. After they have mastered object spelling, they can do picture spelling, and then spell words of their choice! This Montessori activity is teacher recommended and can be integrated into almost any activity.

Learn more: The Prepared Nest

10. I Spy 

I-spy-begin-sounds-TpT.png

There are thousands of beginning sounds activity, but your preschoolers will love to learn about them in this special version of I Spy. This fun game gets kids up and moving while practicing their letter sounds, letter names, and other pre-reading skills.

Learn more: Fun Early Learning

11. Story Bags!

pigs-tray-pinterest.jpg

Story bags are the ultimate way to improve your preschooler's narrative skills! These child-led stories give your child opportunities to create their own story based on their own imagination from what is in the bin! Perfect for circle time or an aftercare activity, your preschoolers will never stop learning!

Learn more: Teaching English

12. Match the Rhymes!

rhymingbasket.jpg

If your preschooler hasn't started to read yet, that doesn't mean you can't teach about rhymes and phonemic awareness. Pull together some objects that rhyme and put them in a box. Have them practice their vocabulary and literacy skills by finding the objects that rhyme!

Learn more: Youtube

13. Bingo!

817csN13U7L._AC_SX425_.jpg

Bingo is the perfect activity to increase student vocabulary and reading skills. Students have to read each card and find the picture on their bingo cards. Once you start, they won't want to stop!

Learn more: Amazon

14. Alphabet Box

6a0147e1d4f40f970b01b7c7c85402970b-pi

If you are looking to practice your child's beginning sound skills, then prepare an alphabet box! Place a letter in each box and have the children sort small objects based on their beginning or ending sounds!

Learn more: How we Montessori

15. Picture Word Matching

1996943fe44a0bf6b01c411ca7501371--montessori-pink-series-montessori-preschool.jpg

Picture word matching is a Montessori recommended activity that helps preschoolers match CVC words while expanding their vocabulary. The pink set is the first level, but advanced readers can move on to the blue level.

Learn more: Montessori Equipment

16. Letter Treasure Hunt

aa5e1ee6518e73f40b80901196698be6.png

If you are looking for a hands-on learning activity, then try the letter treasure hunt! This sensory activity will prepare your child, for reading as they have to dig and identify letters as they find them!

Learn more: Mama of Joy Sensory Play

17. Create a Story

roll2Ba2Bstory2Bwoodland2Banimals.jpg

If you are looking to practice your preschooler's writing and reading skills, have them create their own story with a dice! Not only will they have to use their imagination, but they will be able to narrate and practice story-telling!

Learn more: 123 Home School 4 Me

18. Write the Room!

original-5267762-1.jpg

If you are looking to get your preschoolers moving around the room while practicing the alphabet, then try this write the room! Students will practice their writing and letter recognition skills and have fun at the same time!

Learn more: Teachers pay teachers

19. Nursery Rhymes and Fingerplays

Fingerplay_fun.jpg

Preschoolers love story time, but some may find it hard to focus. Help them stay engaged by using nursery rhymes, finger plays, or puppets as you read! These are perfect for students from the baby to the preschool years.

Learn more: Empowered Parents

20. Magical Alphabet Letters

Magic-Letter-Painting-Alphabet-For-Starters.jpg

Magical Alphabet Letters is an excellent alphabet activity that can help your preschoolers with their letter recognition. Kids won't believe their eyes as the letters appear on each blank paper!

Learn more: No Time for Flash Cards

21. Vowel Tree!

Screenshot 2022-09-20 130300

If your preschooler has mastered the letter sounds and names, they may be ready for the vowel tree! This activity is recommended by teachers for teaching short and long vowel sounds. Gather a bunch of letters and place two consonants on each side of the letter in the tree. Then read to see how we distinguish each vowel.

Learn more: Facebook

22. Letter Slap

MGT-Slap-the-Letter.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1

Letter slap is an awesome activity for preschoolers to learn their letter sounds and names. Call out a letter and have your child slap the letter! This letter activity will have your preschoolers super excited about learning!

Learn more: The Playful Scholar

23. Sight Word Chalk

Sidewalk-Chalk-Sightword-Game-for-Kids-9858.jpg

Sight word chalk is an excellent activity for practicing word and letter recognition. Students can either write the words, or match their sight word cards to each bubble!

Learn more: The Educators Spin on it

24. Alphabet Chalk

2b2ed5b8d49b045e2593c08de84f6892--sidewalk-chalk-games-alphabet-games.jpg

If you are looking for a pre-reading activity that gets your preschooler outside, then do alphabet chalk! There are so many variations of this game, but you can have them fill in the missing letters, hop to each one and say them, and more! This is the perfect child activity to practice letter recognition, letter names, and writing skills.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy

25. Roll and Read

fEOKkuESLS6ZNb1DAezB

If you are looking for a fun independent reading activity, try roll and read! All you need is a dice and a roll and read the printout. Preschoolers can practice various reading skills like identifying word families, long and short vowels, and consonant digraphs through this hands-on activity.

Learn more: Etsy

26. Letter Matching Push

Letter-matching-fine-motor-abc.jpg

Identifying uppercase letters and lowercase letters can be a difficult task for young readers. Create your own letter matching game to develop these abilities as well as their fine motor skills. You can use cereal boxes, cardboard, or anything else that you can punch a hole into.

Learn more: School Time Snippets

27. Word Family Sliders

maxresdefault.jpg

If you child is ready to start reading, then prepare some word family hats! This reading skill is essential for preschoolers and easy to make! Slide down a consonant, say the sound and then the sound of the word family and you're good to go!

Learn more: Make take teach

28. Charades 

T-L-5087-Simple-Action-Charades-Cards-_ver_1.avif

Charades is one of the best activities for preschoolers learning to read. Not only will they be able to identify different actions and practice their body awareness, but they will be able to see how each word is spelled as they look at the picture while building their vocabulary.

Learn more: Twinkl

29. Car Letter Blending

rHdKozsjQi6kZuSyTd7a

If your child demonstrates knowledge of letter sounds, then they should be ready to learn about blending and forming words. Preschool teachers recommend this fun car letter blending activity to show preschooler's that each letter has its own sound in a word!

Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers

30. Decodable Books 

nFI4jFFbSS6fqPfmeFJy

Decodable books are perfect for children that are learning to read. Students can identify word families, and then apply their knowledge as they read the story! This type of story gives children the opportunity to take charge of their learning.

Learn more: Reading A-Z

Related posts:

19 Civil War Activities to Educate Middle School Students
17 Incredible Biodiversity Activities For Students Of All Ages
13 Ways To Teach And Practice Parallel And Perpendicular Lines

You'll also like:

No related posts.

Category: Classroom Ideas

Previous Post: « 30 Priceless Preschool Candy Corn Activities
Next Post: 20 Activities For After Christmas Break »

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 18 Human Rights Activities For Students
  • 25 Delightful Long Division Activities
  • 20 Super Sink Or Float Activities
  • 23 Energizing Environmental Activities For Kids
  • 29 Activities To Master Learning About Landforms
  • 25 Letter Sound Activities