A sound-matching game helps the kindergarten students identify words or objects that start with a particular sound. Choose several objects or expand the options to anything in the classroom. Say either a letter or a letter sound to the class. The students find an object that matches that letter or sound. For example, if you said the letter M, the students might point out the map on the wall. For a small group activity, give each group a stack of letter cards. Each child takes a turn picking a letter card and finding something in the classroom that starts with that letter.
This kindergarten game gets the students active while practicing letters and letter sounds. Tape several cards to the floor with letters on them. You'll want several cards for each letter to spread the kids out more. Say a word or a letter sound. The kids hop onto the corresponding letter. If you said the word love, the kids would hop onto a card with the letter L. If you made the S sound, the kids stand on a letter S card. To make the game more active, turn on some music and let the kids dance in between words.
Some kindergarten students remember letter sounds better with a physical reminder. In this game, the students do a physical action related to each letter. For the letter R, have the kids run in place since run begins with R. Teach the kids five letters and actions at a time to help them remember the moves better. When they are comfortable with those moves, add five more letters. To play, call out a letter or say a letter sound. The kids perform the corresponding action.
The kids sit in a circle to play this letter sound game. You need enough letter cards so each of the students has their own. The kids pick a letter card out of a basket. Go around the circle and have each student say the sound the letter makes. Have them come up with a word that starts with that sound. For additional practice, the kids place their cards on the floor and stand up. They march around the circle until you say stop. The kids then sit down in front of a new card. The game repeats with the kids saying the sound of the new letter and thinking of a word.