How can we make reading a game? 

If you’ve ever sat down with a child to practice reading you know how hard it can be to keep them engaged, especially if they are younger. It can make for lots of frustration for both the adult and child. We also know that kids need to read and in order to read they need to practice. So, what can we do to make it easier and more fun for all parties?…Games!

Regulation

Before we dive into games, I do want to mention regulation. Before kids can learn in any form we need to ensure they are regulated. I could write an entire blog post and more on regulation, but I will keep this simple so we can get to the games. We want to ensure kids are emotionally and sensory regulated. This means they are in the optimal emotional state to learn, and their sensory input is balanced (not too much light, noise, etc.). If a child has just had a big meltdown they are still processing, still feel upset from falling down, are still mad they didn’t get what they wanted for dinner, etc. they are not in a place to learn, games or not. If they are overstimulated by the light, noises, need to get energy out, etc. they need sensory regulation before they can learn. So, if you are trying all the fun games and it’s still not working, consider their regulation. All kids are unique, their regulation will depend on a variety of factors, remember their needs will be different than your own and than other children too. 

Games

OK, onto the fun part, games!! My favorite way to play games for reading is to either make something up from scratch that fits the skill and learning environment, ex: write words on post-it notes to read, post them all over the house, and find them/read them, or to use a game the child is already familiar with and find a way to tie in their current learnings. My phonics board games are a great way to play a traditional board game while also getting some reading and spelling practice. You can find them here. Here are some more of my favorite reading games you can play: 

Connect 4

Connect 4 is a classic game that my students always love to play. Here are a few ways you can mix it up to make it a reading game too:

• Write the letters (just a few at a time) on each chip and practice saying the name and sound when you come across it 
• Write the phonics patterns you are practicing, for example “ar/or” and write a word with that pattern on that chip
• Write words with the phonics pattern you are practicing and read them as you play. (ie if you’re practicing “ar/or” write words like “corn” “born” “star” “car” on the chips. 
• Write the sight words you are practicing 

Memory/Matching

Memory is a great game to practice reading skills! You can use memory cards you already have and just put a post it note on each one or you can cut up your own. Teachers Pay Teachers also have some great memory/matching games already made. Here is a memory/matching game I like to use for rhyming practice. Much like the suggestions for connect 4 above you can use letters (matching upper and lowercase is a great memory game), phonics patterns, and sight words. 

Chalk and Water Balloons

This one is always a big hit! It requires a bit more prep/planning than the other games, but is highly engaging if you have a more reluctant reader. Write the letters or words (sight words or words with the phonics patterns you’re practicing) with chalk on the ground outside. Fill up some water balloons and read the words then throw a water balloon at them. Once they’ve read all the words, they can have a good old fashioned water balloon fight. 

Hopscotch

Create a hopscotch game with the letters or words you are currently practicing. This is great for when kids need extra practice to really solidify a skill. Go through the game several times until they are fluently reading each word. 

Relay Race

Write the letter or words you are practicing on a post-it note or index card. Go outside and create a relay race. Each time they complete a lap they should read the word on the index card. This game is great for kids who really need to move while they’re learning. Remember, learning does not have to take place sitting down! You can mix it up by doing movements other than running to the other end too, have them crawl, skip, crab walk, walk backwards, etc. to keep things interesting. 

There are so many more options than this as well. Next time you are playing a game, think of a way you could tie reading into it. Sometimes it’s easier than you think. I am all for simple but engaging ways to learn. Think of what your child or student already loves to play and find a way to tie reading into it!