When I was teaching Pre-Kindergarten, one of our favorite circle time activities was this simple game that the students named Alphabet Detectives. This is a simple fill-in-the-blank game, but when you play it with one or many kids it takes on new life with a few extra steps.
1. Write out the alphabet on a chalk or dry erase board. Leave a few letters out.
2. Explain to your children or students that some letters are missing, and you need their help to find them.
3. Sing the alphabet song while touching each letter. When you get to a blank spot, stop and ask, "Wait, what goes here?" Be silly. Have fun and pretend like the letter is really gone forever. This little bit of humor turned this simple game into a favorite with every group I have ever done this with. The singing will help children figure it out, and they can yell it out. Invite one child to write the letter on the board. If you are playing with only one child like I did with my daughter, have her stand at the board and fill each letter out. With groups, offer more opportunities to participate by having more missing letters.
Do you have a favorite fun and silly way to work on letter recognition with your kids? Tell us about it on the Scholastic Parents Facebook Page!
Alphabet Detectives
Try this simple game to work on letter recognition and formation with your kids.
