Toddler Alphabet Reading Games

Learning the alphabet and the sounds that each letter makes builds reading skills in young children. Toddlers, whether just beginning to talk or with a well-developed vocabulary, can learn to recognize letters and their sounds. Playing and repeating alphabet games helps toddlers retain and expand beginning reading skills while getting the added benefits of interactive play and one-on-one time with adults.

  1. A Roll of Letters

    • Seeing letters in print and hearing their sounds help toddlers make a connection.

      Obtain a roll of wallpaper border or bulletin-board border that has the printed alphabet and pictures that correspond to the letters. Keep the border rolled up, and help a toddler partially unroll the border until she comes to a letter and picture that she likes. Say the letter and the sound it makes, emphasizing the sound of the letter at the beginning of the name of the object pictured. Have the child repeat both the name and the sound of the letter. Older toddlers may be able to identify the letter sounds on their own. Continue to unroll the border and repeat the game steps as long as the toddler is interested.

    Poster Puzzle Match

    • Toddlers can match alphabet pieces to assemble a puzzle.

      Buy or make two matching alphabet posters. Laminate one or both posters, if desired. Cut one laminated poster into easy puzzle-shaped pieces, one piece for each letter. Help the toddler put the cut-out pieces back together, using the uncut poster as a guide, for a match-and-learn alphabet activity. Say the names of the letters as you put the puzzle together.

    Friendly Alphabet

    • Purchase a big foam alphabet set or make large letters from poster board. Tape each letter to an empty paper-towel tube. Be creative and use markers to turn each letter into a character by adding facial features. Have the child choose one of the characters. Accompany the toddler as he takes
      Mr. M, T the Tiger or one of the other characters around the room (holding onto the cardboard tube "handle"). Look for things in the room that match the alphabet friend's letter. Have the toddler say the names of the items that he and his alphabet friend find.

    Beanbag Letter Toss

    • Divide a sheet of heavy poster board into 26 sections. Print an alphabet letter inside each section. If desired, print both the capital and lowercase version of each letter inside the sections. Have the toddler toss a beanbag onto the playing board. Encourage toddler to name the letter on which the beanbag lands. Older toddlers may be able to also say the sound of the letter or to name a word that begins with that letter.

    "Grab the Letter" Reading Game

    • Grab the letter that matches the page in an alphabet book.

      Spread foam or plastic alphabet letters, or alphabet flash cards, on a table or floor area. Choose an alphabet book to read. Rather than moving through the alphabet in order, open the book to different pages, so that adult and toddler can see the page easily each time the book is opened. Encourage the toddler to grab and keep the letter or card that matches the letter on the book page. Continue until all of the letters/cards are gone. Play again with a different alphabet book.

    Book Covers Alphabet Song and Game

    • Place a selection of children's books on a table, and sit next to the toddler. Sing the alphabet song together, slowly. Have the toddler find each letter on the book covers as you sing; she should touch a book cover containing each letter as you sing. This toddler game can be played over and over, rearranging the books or adding new ones each time you begin the song.

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