Read and match: what children learn
Reading a word means looking at the letters in order and connecting them to a meaning, such as a picture of a cat.
Supports part of Common Core RF.K.3. Children read a whole written word and match it to a picture. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Common Core connection: RF.K.3. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
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 color-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.