Guest Author - Lynn Little
Alphabet flash cards are a great learning tool to teach kids letters and words. Playing games with these cards can be a fun exercise instead of using them in a traditional manner. Make up your own game or be inspired by some of the suggestions listed below.
Place the flash cards on the table and then turn over the top card. Give players a minute to think up as many words that start with the letter. Have them write down their answers. For each word that they write down, score one point or for each unique answer score a point. Play til someone reaches 50 points.
Deal all cards out. Players then take turns playing one card at a time. Each card they play they must use a word that starts with the letter in a sentence. Then the next player has their turn. Their sentence must build on the first player's sentence. The idea is to weave a story together with each card played. This will also ensure that kids are paying attention on other players' turns.
For younger players, deal all cards out. When players play a card, then they must say what the letter is. If they are wrong, then they have to keep the card in their hand and can try again their next turn. If a player gets the letter wrong, then spend a few minutes going over words that begin with the letter. If you don't like that they can't discard the card, then have the player think up a word that begins with the letter to play it even if they get the letter initially wrong.
You can even use the picture side of the cards in a game. Have players make up a story and can play a card from their hand when they mention the object.
Those are just a few ideas to incorporate game play with alphabet flash cards. Think of their favorite games and try to come up with a spin on it to use flash cards. The kids will be learning and having a great time. It's a win-win for all.
Flash cards are inexpensive but can also be made at home either with a computer or by hand. All that is needed to play games with flash cards is a deck of cards and a little imagination.
