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
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
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!
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3. Beginning Sound Picture Matching
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.
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4. Letter Scavenger Hunts
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
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!
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6. Reading, Reading, and Re-Reading
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!
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7. Story Sequencing Cards
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.
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8. Sight Word Jumping
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
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
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!
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!
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12. Match the Rhymes!
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!
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13. Bingo!
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!
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14. Alphabet Box
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
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.
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16. Letter Treasure Hunt
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
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!
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!
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19. Nursery Rhymes and Fingerplays
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
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!
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.
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22. Letter Slap
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
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
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
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.
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26. Letter Matching Push
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
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!
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28. Charades
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.
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29. Car Letter Blending
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
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
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