Listen & Erase – Listening and Reading Game For Kids

This is a mini version of a game I played with my son and before him with my 6th grade class when I was student teaching many many years ago.  I created the game for my 6th grade class because the kids weren’t paying attention while I read Holes aloud to them. A day after the class started playing the game while I read the kids were hooked. I knew they would love the book if they actually listened to it! This little version of the game gives younger children a chance to have some say in the game ( they pick the book) and you can make it as easy or difficult depending on who is playing. Reading games like these should be very short for little ones, not pose too much of a challenge if reading is still emergent and above all else be fun. Reading can be a big challenge and making it fun at the start can help color your child’s view of it being a great activity vs being one filled with frustration.

 

Gather your materials. You will need a little chalk board or little white board, some chalk or dry erase markers, an oddball sock ( please tell me I am not the only mom with more oddball socks than ones in pairs! ), and a book of your child’s choosing.

Start by flipping through the book and finding words that your child can read. They can be anything from the book. For my daughter I chose six total, five I knew she could read because I’d seen her read them recently and one I wasn’t sure but was prepared to help her with. Lots of opportunity for success and a little challenge too.

Write the words on the board.

Invite your little reader to snuggle up and read with you. Read over the words together. Let them try to read them all, if any are too tricky adjust the list before you start the game.

As you read the book tell them they need to listen for these words and erase as you read. Pop the sock on their hand and get ready to read.

Read the book , making sure you don’t read it too quickly and they miss a word or two. Make sure to use clear annunciation as you read. I never realized how much I mumble some words until I started reading aloud so often.

Read , listen, erase!

After it’s all erased it’s time to draw with the chalk!

 

Fun, simple, and it uses a book they already love and feel connected to. All of these work together to deepen learning by making a memorable and positive experience.