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Meet the Letters Flashcards contains two full sets of cards: upper case and lower case; along with several special characters. Each card is double-sided and represents one letter of the alphabet. The letter is highlighted in bold black and white on one side and an object formed from that letter is highlighted on the reverse side. The objects are the same featured in the videos of the same title. Meet the Sight Words Flashcards are also available and sold separately.
Approx. Price: $12.95 Box Age Range: None listed # of Pieces: 51-100 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Easy Directions: None Play Locations: Indoor Adjustability: None Levels of Play: Four Levels Batteries: None needed
Description
Play duration with these cards is modifiable.
The flashcards can be used independently or used by several children simultaneously.
Cards have the same characters and can be used to accompany the Meet the Letters video (sold separately).
Skills
Pre-literacy and literacy skills are practiced through play.
Children learn both upper and lower case letters with these flashcards.
Letter recognition and identification are targeted and simple spelling is encouraged.
Expressive and receptive language can be targeted using the flashcards as the tools.
Introduce phonics using these cards. As each card is shown to the child, state the name of the letter and the different sounds it can make.
Play Ideas
Create a story based on the character side of the flashcards.
Play a guessing game. Pull out one card from the stack. Don’t look at it but show it to the others at the table. Have the other players give verbal clues to help you guess what the targeted letter or object is.
Spell the child’s name (if there are no repeat letters in the name) or spell simple words using the flashcards.
Place the flashcards in alphabetical order on the floor.
Make a matching game for children to match upper and lower case letters together.
Sort the flashcards into two piles: vowels and consonants.
Play a game of, “What comes before/after.” Show one letter and ask the child what letter comes before it in the alphabet. Continue by taking turns and letting the child pick a card and ask you a similar question.
Create verbal memory games such as, “Name an animal that starts with the letter _____.” Choose the card to determine what letter is used. Other suggestions would be: name a color, food, place, article of clothing or toy.
Adaptation Ideas
Limit the number of cards presented to a child. Gradually introduce more as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Description
Each card has only one letter allowing the alphabet to be introduced at a child’s pace.
The font used on the cards is simple and easy to understand.
Play duration with these cards is modifiable.
Cards have the same characters and can be used to accompany the Meet the Letters video (sold separately).
Upper and lower case letters can be introduced simultaneously or can be separated for individual learning.
The cards are oversized and easy to see and hold.
Skills
Children learn both upper and lower case letters with these flashcards.
Letter recognition and identification are targeted and simple spelling is encouraged.
Eye-hand coordination is used as children trace over the letters with their fingers.
Pre-literacy and literacy skills are practiced through play.
Visual discrimination skills can be heightened as children differentiate between letters that look similar such as, O and Q, p and q, b and d.
Play Ideas
Spell the child’s name (if there are no repeat letters in the name) or spell simple words using the flashcards.
Place the flashcards in alphabetical order on the floor.
Go around the room and find objects that start with each letter.
Compile a kit to keep with these flashcards of small toys that start with each letter. Then during play, children can organize and match by letter, sort by type, etc.
Make a matching game for children to match upper and lower case letters together.
Sort the flashcards into two piles: vowels and consonants.
Play a game of, “What comes before/after.” Show one letter and ask the child what letter comes before it in the alphabet. Continue by taking turns and letting the child pick a card and ask you a similar question.
Create verbal memory games such as, “Name an animal that starts with the letter _____.” Choose the card to determine what letter is used. Other suggestions would be: name a color, food, place, article of clothing or toy.
Adaptation Ideas
Limit the number of cards presented to a child. Gradually introduce more cards as a child’s ability and frustration levels permit.
Description
Play duration with these cards is modifiable.
The cards are large, the letters are bold and black, and there is plenty of white space to assist a child in seeing and differentiating each letter.
The font used on the cards is simple and easy to understand.
Cards have the same characters and can be used to accompany the Meet the Letters video (sold separately).
The cards are all uniform in size and texture.
Skills
Pre-literacy and literacy skills are practiced through play.
Children learn both upper and lower case letters with these flashcards.
Letter recognition and identification are targeted and simple spelling is encouraged.
Visual discrimination skills can be heightened as children differentiate between letters that look similar such as, O and Q, p and q, b and d.
Play Ideas
Make a matching game for children to match upper and lower case letters together.
Create verbal memory games such as, “Name an animal that starts with the letter _____.” Choose the card to determine what letter is used. Other suggestions would be: name a color, food, place, article of clothing or toy. Note: To help children who are blind take part in this activity, verbally state what letter has been chosen.
Adaptation Ideas
Place Braille tape on the corner of each card to identify and assist children in reading the letters.
Outline each letter with a thin line of all-purpose glue. When the glue dries it will create a raised edge for a child to follow along and feel with his fingers.
Description
Play duration with these cards is modifiable.
The cards are laminated on both sides and can be lightly wiped clean.
The font used on the cards is simple and easy to understand.
Cards have the same characters and can be used to accompany the Meet the Letters video (sold separately).
Skills
Trace over the letters on the cards with one isolated finger. This encourages pointing and fine motor skills needed for life skills such as buttoning a shirt.
Pre-literacy and literacy skills are practiced through play.
Children learn both upper and lower case letters with these flashcards.
Letter recognition and identification are targeted and simple spelling is encouraged.
Play Ideas
Play a letter identification game. Show two cards to the child and ask which card is the letter _____.” The child can either verbally tell you the left or right card, or point with his hands or a pointer. There are many different types of pointers on the market to cater to a child’s specific need.
Create verbal memory games such as, “Name an animal that starts with the letter _____.” Choose the card to determine what letter is used. Other suggestions would be: name a color, food, place, article of clothing or toy.
Adaptation Ideas
Make a card holder by cutting a slit in a piece of wood or floral foam. Make sure the wood or foam is large enough to sit independently on a table. Or cut a slit through a solid rubber ball. A child may have more success holding the ball than individual cards.
Have a caregiver hold up each card for the child to see and identify.
Place a small piece of self-adhesive Velcro on each card. Then attach the cards to a carpet square remnant for easy access and retrieval. Carpet squares are readily available at carpet stores or home improvement centers. Further assist by placing the carpet remnant on an easel. This can help a child maintain an upright position for play.
