Read and match: what children learn
Children sound out a short word, such as cat or bus, and match it to its picture. It shows that the words they blend have meaning.
Each word card has a matching picture card. Children sound out and blend the word, then find its picture.
This topic links to an early learning goal in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England (Word Reading). Children at the expected level of development will: “Read words consistent with their phonic knowledge by sound-blending”. Reception children are usually aged 4–5.
There is no direct equivalent in the US Common Core State Standards.
How to play
Pick a card on the left, then the card on the right that matches it. Each game has 4 pairs. Wrong matches are counted as mistakes, and you get three stars for a game with no mistakes.
Step by step
- Play together. Sit with your child and read the words on screen aloud. Let them do the tapping and dragging.
- Sound and blend. Say each sound, then push them together: d-o-g, dog.
- Find the picture. Look for the picture of that word.
- Talk about it. Say a sentence with the word, such as "The dog runs".
Worked examples
Example 1: cat
Working: c-a-t blends to cat.
Answer: 🐱
Example 2: bus
Working: b-u-s blends to bus.
Answer: 🚌
Example 3: web
Working: w-e-b blends to web.
Answer: 🕸️
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Guessing from the picture Read the word first, then look for the picture.
- Mixing up b and d Say each sound slowly and check the shape of the letter.
- Reading the sounds but not blending Say the sounds faster and faster until they join.
Activities to try at home
- Label toys with short words for your child to read and match.
- Play a picture and word lotto game.
- Read a simple decodable book together.
Ideas for the classroom
- Give pairs picture and word cards to match.
- Hide word cards in sand; children read and match a toy.
- Use the game in a phonics carousel.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Are the words all short?
Yes: they have three sounds, such as c-a-t, which fits early reading.
Why are there pictures?
Pictures let children check meaning without needing to read a sentence.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it, then pick its partner.