GAMES! The cornerstone to reading fun for you and your child. Enjoy and learn!

Rules for all games:
1. Must be short and simple -- these are for young children.
2. Must never focus on winning and losing. All who can read are winners, of course!
3. Must be fun.

Check out the games below. Each one of them has a place in the Hurst First LET'S Read! Program but each one can also be used independent of the program as good reading fun.

I See

Once your child knows, by sight, four color words, try this game.

You show one color word to your child without saying the name of the color. Your child does not have to say it either, only read it. Your child finds something in the room that is that color and puts the card on it or by it. After your child has placed all four or more color words, stop to read a short story or do another activity. Then come back to the I See Game. This time your child finds all the cards he or she spread out in the room. When each card is brought back to you, your child reads the card to you and you act excited. "Yes! You found all the color words!"

If this game turns out to be a popular one with your child, move to different rooms each time you play it. DO NOT write the color words in the correct color. They must be written in black ink.



Tricky Me

Children always ask me to play this game, even after they are good readers.

You hold three word cards ( that your child knows) behind your back and say, "I'm going to trick you!" Let your voice and smile show that this is playful teasing. "I wonder if you can read.......this word." Show one word. When your child reads it correctly, make your voice sad and say, "Oh, I didn't trick you this time. Let me try again." If he or she reads the word incorrectly, pause and give your child a chance to notice it is wrong before saying anything. If he or she still gets it wrong, say, "This word is_____. Let's try........this word." Once your chid gets good at reading words, use 6 or 8 word cards at a time.

Just watch! You will get tired of this game before your child does!