Letters, Reading and Writing Play Mats
I loved creating our PLAY MATS POWER BOX. This is an all-in-one box, in which all the Play Mats build on foundational skills. Play Mats are a substitute for worksheets in the foundational stages, where children would rather be hands-on and learn through PLAY.
My creations began when I realised how children love to write with a white board marker. It is a lot of fun for them to write, trace or draw, rub it out, and try again! It is more informal to completing worksheets, so it becomes fun and a more engaging way of learning.
To take part in the fun, download all of these handy Play Mats, then create your very own Power Box (or you may file them). Only print, trim and laminate the Play Mats and place them all in a box or file, with dough, beads, Prestik, and white board markers.
The Types Of Play Mats Available
- Letters and Sounds
- Building CVC words
- My Themes- Everyday Word & I can read
- Tracing & Threading
1. Letters and Sounds
The Letters and Sounds Play Mats are ideal for learning letter sounds and formation. Kids will use dough, markers, cards and objects like beads to learn each number.
Click on the images below to access the PDF files, Print, trim and laminate the Play Mats, with the cards. The first page of the PDF file gives you tips to begin and what you will need.
2. Building CVC Words
Once your child has mastered the sounds of each letter, he/she may be ready to begin building simple 3 letter words. We call them CVC words, consonant-verb-consonant. We need vowels to build these words, so they must be able to distinguish between the different vowel sounds before beginning.
Click on the image below to access the PDF file. Print, trim and laminate the Play Mats, with the cards. The first page of the PDF file gives you tips to begin and what you will need.
3. My Themes- Everyday Words & I Can Read
The My Theme Play Mats begin to build a connection between everyday things and words. Repetition builds familiarity of the words and increases confidence in reading.
The I Can Read Play Mats use 8 simple sight words, which introduce them into sentence building and reading. The “My Themes” word and picture cards are needed for this pack. An opportunity is given to begin writing the sentences, once building and reading it is mastered.
Click here to access the PDF files. Print, trim and laminate the Play Mats, with the cards. The first page of the PDF file gives you tips to begin and what you will need.
5. Tracing and Threading
Tracing and threading develops hand grip and hand-eye coordination, which is vital for handwriting. The Play Mats are wonderful as they can be used for practise over and over again.
Click here below to access the PDF file. Print, trim and laminate the Play Mats. The first page of the PDF file gives you tips to begin and what you will need.
Doodle Play Mat
If you do not own a white board you can download and laminate this Doodle Play Mat, or just laminate a plain piece of paper. Use the Doodle Play Mat to reinforce writing letters and words independently, once it has been mastered.
Click on the image below to download the PDF file, then print, trim and laminate the Play Mat.
Checklist
The checklist gives a brief overview of what Play Mats are in the Power Box; it also gives a nice layout of the work to be learnt. As your child masters each Play Mat, you can check the boxes before progressing to the next item.
Letter Cards
Freely download the letter cards to practise the alphabet, phonic sounds and word building.
