Making your alphabet matching board

1. Using your plastic letters, trace around each letter shape one at a time onto your paper. I did mine in alphabetical order so we could follow up the experience with the alphabet song.
2. Once all the desired letters are traced laminate your sheet to make it waterproof. This is optional, but a good idea to make the board durable and reusable next time you play.

How to play

1. Fill your container with water and stir in your plastic alphabet letters. Be sure to have enough water to cover the letters and have them float. You are ready to play!
2. Now encourage your child to use the spoon to scoop out a letter. Encourage your child to name the letter and/or pronounce the sound it makes. If your child is unsure, label the letter and role model the sound.
3. Now ask your child to find the matching letter on the alphabet matching board and place the letter on top.
4. Repeat the above steps to complete the activity.

Variation ideas

1. Introduce the activity with the ABC song or alternatively use it as a follow up experience. Point to the alphabet board as you sing, to help put the name of the letter in context. 
2. Try the same activity, but instead of alphabet letters try plastic numbers. This is a great way to extend or expand the learning with numeracy recognition and counting.
3. Try the same activity but with other plastic objects such as toy dinosaurs or insects. A great way to bring in a shape element to the play.

It’s as is as ABC- comment below and let us know how the experience went for you.