Getting ready for school through play: letters, numbers and logic
What helps 5 and 6 year olds before they start school: sounds and syllables, counting and quantity, patterns and attention, with example games.
Sounds before letters
Before reading, a child needs to hear that a word is made of syllables and sounds: which sound a word starts with, how many syllables it has, what rhymes. Games where children clap syllables, look for the first and last letter and match rhyming words all help.
Quantity, not just counting by heart
Many children can count to twenty but do not know how many five apples are. Counting real objects helps, as does recognising a small amount without counting one by one, and splitting numbers, for example how many more make ten.
Logic, patterns and attention
Continuing a pattern, sorting and remembering an order prepare a child for maths and reading just as much as letters and numbers themselves. It matters that a task is a little above what the child already knows, not far above it.
Short, often and without pressure
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is worth more than long sessions once a week. Praise effort, not speed, and stop while your child is still having fun.
Games for this article
- PremiumClap the syllables4–6 years
- FreeFirst letter4–6 years
- PremiumRhymes4–8 years
- PremiumCounting apples3–5 years
- PremiumQuick look3–8 years
- PremiumMake ten5–8 years
- PremiumContinue the pattern4–8 years
- PremiumRemember the path3–8 years
This article is general advice, not a professional opinion about your child. For that, talk to your paediatrician or another specialist.