Categories A-to-Z
Players name something in a category for each letter of the alphabet in turn.
- Age6 to 8 years
- Time5 to 15 minutes
- EnergyCalm
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors
- PrepNone
A word game where players pick a category and take turns naming something in it for each letter of the alphabet in order. Practises thinking of words that fit a category and start with a given sound.
How to do it
- Agree on a category everyone knows, such as animals, foods, or names.
- Start at the first letter of the alphabet; the first player names something in the category starting with that letter.
- Move to the next letter and the next player, working through the alphabet in order.
- Help each other when a letter is tricky, or skip it and move on.
- Finish at the end of the alphabet, or stop wherever the game runs out of steam.
Signs it is working
Your child names a word in the category that starts with the right sound for their letter. They wait for their turn and follow the alphabet order. They stay engaged and accept help on hard letters
If it is not quite clicking
A letter stumps everyone: Agree to skip it rather than get stuck. Your child does not yet know the alphabet order: Keep a written alphabet in view or call out the next letter for them. The category is too narrow and dries up fast: Switch to a broader one such as anything you can eat
Make it yours
Younger end, 6 years: Use a very broad category and let players jump to any letter rather than strict order, or do it together as a team. Older, 7-8 years: Keep strict alphabetical order, add a soft time limit, or pick trickier categories. Group: Go around the circle so each person takes the next letter in turn
Try this with your child.
Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.
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