Here are some of the many great ways to use the Animal Matching Game Cards

FIND IT. Spread the large set of animal cards all around the room on the floor. For beginners, place the cards face up so the animals can be seen. Reserve the second smaller set of ABC square cards to show to the children. For an easier game, show the side that has the animal picture and the corresponding beginning letter. For a harder game, show only the alphabet side and have the children identify and choose the animal that begins with that letter. Have them go and find the animal card that begins with the letter that was shown to them.

 

MATCH IT. Use the same game instructions as “FIND IT” but with a twist. Instead of having the cards face up so that the animals can be seen, place the cards face down to add an element of memory and matching to the game. The children will have to remember where the animal cards are.

 

LEARN IT. Children can struggle with identifying the beginning sounds of words and learning the alphabet. Use the ABC Animal cards to teach ABC’s and beginning sounds of words in a fun and interactive way. They won’t even realize that they are learning!

 

SEQUENCE IT. Have your child line up the cards and set them in order of the ABC’s. Sing the alphabet song while your child points to the animal or ABC cards. Emphasize the beginning sound of each word, such as “A is for Alligator” or “B is for Bear” to strengthen phonemic awareness and ability to recognize beginning sounds of words. 

 

ACT IT. Children love acting and playing charades. Have your child select an ABC Animal card without showing it to the other players. Have them act out the animal by making animal noises or animal traits while the other children take turns guessing the correct action.

 

REMEMBER IT. Use the ABC Animal picture cards to work on memory skills. Each player takes a turn taking an animal card, saying it out loud, and putting it face down on the table. Players take turns to add a card face down to the row but first lists all the animal cards that were already placed in the pile. Players take turns listing and adding animal cards until one player misses a card or does not list them in the correct order.

 

COMPARE IT. Select two animal cards. Describe the features and descriptions of each animal.

Talk about the various animal attributes and traits. Compare the details of the animals and talk about how they are the same, then contrast and tell how they are different.  Discuss where the animals live, what they eat, and any other specific character traits of the animals.

 

IMPROVE-IT. Improve and build skills like:

~Phonics & phonemic awareness

~Letter & sound recognition

~Decoding & reading skills  

~Turn taking & social skills

~Language & vocabulary skills

~Following directions & memory skills