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February 10, 2014 | 20 Comments

Letter Sounds Activity with Locks

letter sounds activityLetter recognition is important but more important is knowing what sounds letters make. This is a fun and easy to throw together letter sound activity that uses novelty to make learning fun. My daughter has known her letters for a while but at three there is zero rush for her to start reading. I am not following any program or book, I am following her lead. She has been testing out sounds, pretending to read books to me and her brother, and asking to spell words. When I see signs like these I try some playful ways to challenge her but if there is resistance , frustration or confusion I back off. As parents we want to challenge and support not push or drill. After the first time we played this letter sounds activity I was pretty sure we had a winner, after the 4th time I was certain.

Gather your materials. You will need some stickers of easily identifiable things, masking tape, locks with keys, and a marker.

learn to read activity

Start by adding the sticker to the locks. letter sounds

Next add masking tape to the keys and write the letter on.

Lock the locks and pop the keys in a container. letter sounds

Time to play. She explored all the locks at first and then dove in. letter sounds with locks and keys

The letter sounds weren’t too big a challenge but the fine motor control required was. letter sounds gameMatching up keys with locks and opening them uses other skills too like hand eye coordination and hand strength too.  It took her a few tries to get the first key in but after a while she was a pro. unlock letter sounds

She loved that she could do the activity with no help from me. My daughter is about as independent as they come. key letter sound  matchI let her go for it and then after she was done have her show me her work. She walked me through each pair telling me the letter and the sound on each lock and key. lock and key literacy activity for preschool and kindergarten

Then she closed them all up and played again and again.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Letter Sounds, Letters & Numbers, Phonics, Reading, Reading Readiness | 20 Comments

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20 Comments

  1. Katie says

    February 10, 2014 at 5:14 am

    Allison, this is genius! What a PERFECT activity for preschoolers who are all about independence because they’re motivated to play (who doesn’t want to open a lock, especially one that has a STICKER on it!) and are working letters and sound skills all at the same time. OK, I have to repeat it…GENIUS! Thanks!

    to Katie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Katie'>reply to this comment
  2. Kali @ For the Love of Spanish says

    February 10, 2014 at 6:03 am

    What a great idea!! My boys will love this! They shy away from any learning activity that actually feels like learning, so this will be perfect! Wanting to unlock the lock will be a great motivator to learn beginning sounds. 🙂

    to Kali @ For the Love of Spanish" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kali @ For the Love of Spanish'>reply to this comment
  3. Sarah says

    February 10, 2014 at 7:17 am

    My daughter is only two but she is showing some of the same traits you mentioned. I’m not sure we are quite here yet, but I’m saving this fun idea for later. Thank you so much!

    to Sarah" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sarah'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      February 10, 2014 at 7:54 am

      My son was a super early reader and showed signs very very early like your daughter. Follow her lead and you will be great!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  4. Mary Taylor says

    February 10, 2014 at 7:54 am

    Awesome! This looks like so much fun! Where did you find all the locks/keys? Were they terribly expensive?
    I can’t wait to try this with my son! Thanks for all the great ideas for this Mama!!

    to Mary Taylor" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mary Taylor'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      February 10, 2014 at 8:02 am

      Some were – I think one cost $8 way back when and I slowly collected the first 4 or 5 but every time I go to the dollar store I check and finally they had them. So I bought a bunch.

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  5. Allanah says

    February 10, 2014 at 10:31 am

    i love this idea! will be setting it up for girls tonight!
    For those in Canada, Dollarama has 2pks for $1 for locks that are 1 1/4″ wide.
    I’m going to do a matching set for my 2yo, and a phonetic set for my 4yr old.
    Thanks for the great idea!

    to Allanah" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allanah'>reply to this comment
  6. Felicia says

    February 10, 2014 at 10:57 am

    My kids love to open locks so this is perfect for them! What a great idea!

    to Felicia" aria-label='reply to this comment to Felicia'>reply to this comment
  7. Candi says

    February 10, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    What an awesome idea!! My daughter will love, love, love this one!!! We’ve been goin through a lot if your ideas for fun, she’s only 2.5, but I think this will be the winner to get her to associate the letter and sound!!

    to Candi" aria-label='reply to this comment to Candi'>reply to this comment
  8. Heather says

    February 10, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    I love this idea so much that I literally just went to amazon and ordered a set of 12 locks for $16.97! So excited! This is genius! 🙂 Thank you for sharing. 🙂

    to Heather" aria-label='reply to this comment to Heather'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      February 10, 2014 at 6:35 pm

      This rocks – I hope you have fun with it!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  9. Kristi @ Creative Connections for Kids says

    February 11, 2014 at 4:51 am

    So clever! I will be sharing this my parents. Pinned. Thanks! Kristi

    to Kristi @ Creative Connections for Kids" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kristi @ Creative Connections for Kids'>reply to this comment
  10. Kristin says

    February 11, 2014 at 8:27 am

    This is a great idea!! I may have to give it a try when my daughter learns some more letters (she’s only got 2 down right now!)

    to Kristin" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kristin'>reply to this comment
  11. The Monko says

    February 12, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I love this activity, fine motor AND letters. How cool, my son will love this – I’m off to buy some padlocks.

    to The Monko" aria-label='reply to this comment to The Monko'>reply to this comment
  12. Christi Hall says

    February 13, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    Preschool age children 3-5
    ELA.4.15
    ELA.3.70

    to Christi Hall" aria-label='reply to this comment to Christi Hall'>reply to this comment
  13. Tracy Cook says

    February 15, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    What a brilliant idea. Will try that with my grandsons

    to Tracy Cook" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tracy Cook'>reply to this comment
  14. Angelina says

    February 18, 2014 at 5:56 am

    Terrific idea! Combines so many great skills, and best of all, fun! Thanks for all your awesome ideas! Love the pictures too!

    to Angelina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Angelina'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Lock and key matching game for preschoolers | Teach Preschool says:
    February 17, 2014 at 6:00 am

    […] had forgotten about this terrific idea until I happened upon this amazing –> Letter and Sounds Lock and Key Game shared by Ali over at No Time for Flashcards! If you haven’t seen it yet, it is totally worth […]

    to Lock and key matching game for preschoolers | Teach Preschool" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lock and key matching game for preschoolers | Teach Preschool'>reply to this comment
  2. Twenty...Learning Letter Recognition and Sound Activities for Kids | Imogen's Angels says:
    June 20, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    […] 16. Letter Sound Activity with Lock from No Time for Flash Cards […]

    to Twenty...Learning Letter Recognition and Sound Activities for Kids | Imogen's Angels" aria-label='reply to this comment to Twenty...Learning Letter Recognition and Sound Activities for Kids | Imogen's Angels'>reply to this comment
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