Preschool Reading Board Games
Can we prepare for learning to read in preschool? Absolutely, although we must be careful not to go overboard.
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Written by
Máté Lencse
Educator, game designer,
founder of PlayWise
Why listen to him?
Máté has been regularly playing modern board games and classic abstract board games since 2013. He plays because he loves to. He plays because as an educator, it is his most important motivational and developmental tool. He plays because as a father, it is one of the highest quality times spent with his daughter. He plays because it adds to his marriage. He plays to get to know games and as a game designer, to be able to create new ones. Thus, it's not surprising that he often plays through 15-20 games weekly. Learn more about him and his background on his author page or follow him on social media:
I am not a fan of rushing things, so I don't believe that children should learn to read in preschool. However, I do believe that there are things we can do to lay the groundwork for learning to read. Among many other activities, the world of board games is also suitable for having a positive impact on the development of reading motivation.
There are texts on the boxes, a booklet that describes the rules, and often letters, words, and sentences on the cards or the board. Board gaming creates an environment where words have a place, where reading is everyday and natural, and this can be passed on to the players.
Kiwi
A kiwi is rolling on the ground, who knows where it will stop? Do you? Only if you pay close attention!
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 6 and up, 15 min, 2-6 players
Tools
The box contains a four-piece, assembleable board, movement cards, guess cards, player markers, and a cute kiwi.
Skills
The game enhances working memory, spatial orientation, helps with learning directions, and aids in learning coding.
Instructions
Players play movement cards, of which only the top one is visible, and they must track the kiwi's movement in their heads. The game includes several challenging variations to enhance replayability.
Mysterix
The odd one out is a classic children's game, and when put on cards, it becomes an exciting, fast-paced card game.
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 4 and up., 10 min, 2-5 players
Tools
54 beautifully illustrated, densely packed cards, each featuring one odd one out.
Skills
The Djeco Mysterix card game develops visual perception, attention to detail, and quick thinking skills.
Instructions
On the flipped card, you must find the out-of-place element as quickly as possible. The cards are categorized, so there are many similar cards, but each has a different odd one out.
Spot it!
Spot it! or Dobble, the key is to pay close attention, notice the matches, and be the fastest.
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 7 and up, 15 min, 2-8 players
Tools
55 circular cards in an attractive tin box. The cards feature easily recognizable illustrations in various colors.
Skills
This game enhances visual perception and shape-background differentiation.
Instructions
The box contains multiple game versions, but all of them are based on the principle that there is always one matching image between any two cards. The goal is always to find this one matching image.
Spot It! is particularly interesting because it engages different areas. It has numerous editions, and there are free online generators available that allow us to create our own decks, making it an inexhaustible treasure trove for vocabulary development. Especially if we remember that the game can be played in multiple ways, as the official rules recommend different game variations. But for vocabulary development, especially with the age group preparing for school, we have other options as well.
Vocabulary Development
Words offer endless possibilities for play, thus vocabulary development can appear in many forms, both direct and indirect. Let's look at examples of each approach.
Boggle Junior
Dice, letters, words. A great combination.
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 3 and up, 10 min, 1-2 players
Tools
The box contains letter cubes, word cards, a tray, and a rules booklet.
Skills
Boggle Junior develops spelling, word recognition, and fine motor skills.
Instructions
Players match the letter cubes to the letters on the word cards to form words. Players can also play a memory game by matching pictures to words, enhancing both recognition and memory skills.
Scrabble Junior
A classic children's version. If we love it, we can easily engage the kids with this version.
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 5 and up, 30 min, 2-4 players
Tools
The contents of the Scrabble Junior box: a double-sided game board, letter tiles, a tile bag, scoring tokens, and a rulebook.
Skills
This game develops spelling, vocabulary, and strategic thinking skills.
Instructions
In Scrabble Junior, players take turns drawing letter tiles and placing them on the game board to form words, either pre-printed (for younger children) or created freely (for older children). Points are scored for each completed word, and the player with the most points at the end wins.
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For me, this also includes language comprehension and expression, understanding of spoken text, which can be wonderfully developed in preschoolers through storytelling and drama games, but can also be supported with board games.
Rory's Story Cubes
At first glance, it doesn't seem like a board game. But it certainly is one.
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 6 and up, 20 min, 1-12 players
Tools
A box contains nine dice with different images on each face and a rules booklet.
Skills
Develops creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving skills.
Instructions
In Story Cubes, players roll the dice and create a story using the images that appear, encouraging imaginative and spontaneous storytelling.
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If we take a step back to focus on developing phonological awareness, "Zingo!" is a great recommendation.
Zingo!
A classic children's version. If we love it, we can easily engage the kids with this version.
Age, Playing Time, Players
Recommended for ages 4 and up, 5 min, 2-8 players
Tools
A Zingo! box contains a Zingo! Zinger device, 72 picture tiles, and 6 double-sided Zingo! cards.
Skills
Zingo! develops phonological awareness, vocabulary, and matching skills.
Instructions
In Zingo!, players slide the Zinger to reveal picture tiles and quickly match them to the images on their Zingo! cards, aiming to be the first to fill their card and shout "Zingo!"
But! Let's not forget that when we play board games, the primary goal is the game itself. Developmental goals are in the background, appearing as secondary benefits. As parents and educators, it's good to be conscious in our game selection, but when we play, we should focus on the game and the child. We want to create an enjoyable and cheerful gaming experience, and if it's also beneficial in other ways, that's just a bonus.
In 2023, Máté Lencse accredited a board game pedagogy training for preschool teachers, developed in collaboration with innovative educators from a Budapest kindergarten. He has been involved in board game pedagogy since 2013 and regularly works with disadvantaged preschool-aged children.