Help a dyslexic child get better at reading by playing this fun word sounds game.
Words can form word families. These are groups of words that share similar sounds, like:
- Rat, hat and sat.
When children group words by sounds, it helps them understand how words are built. This boosts their reading skills. Simple word games can help dyslexic children learn sounds and practise them in a fun way.
This game is based on research: “Developmental dyslexia and sensitivity to rhymes”.
Free 10-minute course
Help a dyslexic child learn word sounds
Fun sound puzzles, in 3 short activities. 10 minutes a day, with free printable worksheets.
Try it today: find the odd one out
- Pick a word family – for example, words ending in “at”: rat, hat, sat.
- Add an odd one out – say four words out loud, like “rat, hat, dog, sat”. Ask your child which word does not belong.
- Grow the family – ask your child to think of one more word that fits, like “mat”.
Want the full Word Families game, ready to play?
The Word Families card has everything in one place: ready-made steps for you on the front and a picture activity for your child on the back. It’s one of 56 ten-minute activities in the Mooki Cards deck.
Instant download · use on a phone or tablet, or print and fill in
Learn word sounds, improve reading
Get advice from the Dyslexic Mum on how learning word families can help a child read better.
“Frog, free, apple, fresh, fruit! Which word is the odd one out? I am sure you guessed it was apple. This seems like a really easy game. You may have guessed the correct answer in just a few seconds.
What did all the words have in common? Yes, all the words other than apple share the same start sound, ‘fr’.
Playing this simple ‘Word Families’ game will help a dyslexic child become a better reader. Play it time and time again.”
Follow these top tips when playing word family games:
- Have fun playing – word games make learning fun. Play during family time, after dinner or on a car journey. Get everyone involved!
- Treasure hunt – add a treasure hunt to the game. Can your child find things that rhyme with “cat”? Look for things like a bath mat or a sports hat.
- Use word lists – to discover more rhyming words, try the 100 Words card in the Mooki Cards deck and visit rhyming words for kids.
- Climb the reading staircase – word families are step 4 on the reading staircase. Practising each step helps children become better at reading.
Watch: games to help with dyslexia
In this video, “Games to help with dyslexia”, the Dyslexic Mum shares tips on playing the word families game.
