Multi-sensory reading games boost the confidence of students as they improve in their reading ability. Many students with difficulty reading feel "stupid." They may have been called names by others, even parents or teachers, and then told themselves they couldn't learn because they weren't smart enough. Games also provide intervention as they help children approach reading in different ways.
Students practice sounds by tracing them and saying them out loud as they trace them. They can incorporate this by adding letters until they form an entire word. Children can trace large letters you have written on the white board in black with a red dry erase marker. They can also trace the letters in a sandbox. You can make the letter in the air, but make sure to face the same direction as the students while you do this so the letter faces the right direction. You should also say the sound and ask the student to point to the correct letter or word. The children can walk around the room and play a type of elimination game. You say a word with a predetermined sound, and the children stop when they hear the sound.
Children match letters as the teacher or a partner says the letter or word. Children can continue to play this game as they learn their letters and increase vocabulary. A small group or an entire class can play "sound bingo" using either letters or words, depending on the ability of the students. Magnetic letters can help children. They can move the letters, take turns creating different words and make rhyming words. Online reading and phonics games help beginning readers as well (see Resources).
Multi-sensory reading games provide intrinsic motivation in and of themselves. The opportunity to spend time playing a game instead of doing traditional classwork provides students with extra enthusiasm to learn.