Free Printable Monkey and Banana Alphabet Matching Game
Lions, tigers, and bears. Oh, my! Don’t forget about those monkeys! There’s something about zoo animals that fascinates children. Zoo theme preschool lessons are a great way to explore a variety of curricular objectives and learn about zoo animals in the process!
This monkey alphabet game combines adorable monkeys (reading books, of course) and yummy bananas for a letter matching game that is simply “zoo-licious.”
The Monkey and Banana Alphabet Matching Game is a FREE alphabet matching activity for preschool! Your students will LOVE the monkey graphics so much they won’t even realize they’re learning valuable stuff! This printable is a perfect fit for your zoo animal theme preschool classroom. Print and prepare for loads of independent exploration and learning about letters.
Recommended Grade Level:
Monkey & Banana Alphabet Matching Supplies:
- Printer/Ink
- Paper Cutter
- Scrapbook Paper (optional)
- Laminating Supplies (optional)
Teaching Uppercase and Lowercase Letters in Pre-K:
ALPHABET GAMES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
As adults, we quickly forget what it was like to learn the English “code” of letters, sounds, rules, and variations. If you can see through the eyes of a child for a moment, you might remember that letters are nothing more than shapes and lines.
Teaching children the alphabet allows them to feel confident as learners when they move forward to learn the sounds of each letter.
Learning letter names forms an important foundational concept of print, which is the idea that letters are a code that represent sounds that we put together in specific ways to make words.
Although children don’t need to know all 26 letter names before learning the sounds, this concrete background information helps tie the new information (sounds) to the letter name.
It just makes good sense to introduce young learners to letter names and sounds as soon as they are interested. Preschool teachers should use lots of repetition and lots of hands-on learning projects for students to explore and retain letter names in their own time. Worksheets and rote memorization are not the best options!
Learning the Alphabet in Preschool
ALPHABET GAMES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
FUN GAMES AND ACTIVITIES MAKE LEARNING MORE MEANINGFUL FOR CHILDREN.
The more hands-on experiences you give kids with letters, the more they will learn! It’s simple: Learning sticks when we provide opportunities for kids to actively engage and explore on a consistent basis.
You don’t need to create elaborate games for kids for letter matching and word games. Just look at the supplies around you and see how you might implement a game or activity that lets young kids explore and learn.
This one simple game reinforces important skills:
- Letter visual discrimination
- Letter names
- Letter sounds
- Focus/Concentration
Why Is It Important For Kids To Learn Letters?
The alphabet matching game printable (free) is a great way to help young learners develop into overall well-rounded students. Although it seems far-off, it’s one step closer to understanding proper nouns and more!
Visual Discrimination
Learning letter names requires the ability to see different lines, shapes, angles, and formations. Ultimately, this improves visual acuity and discrimination.
Coping Skills
Many children find the alphabet matching free printable calming. Since matching the letters requires concentration, it can teach children a healthy way to relax.
Memory
Kindergarten worksheets and games that require matching provide hands-on practice that supports memory growth, which letter helps to learn sight words.
Social Skills
If you choose to implement the matching activity as a game, it gives students important opportunities to take turns, follow rules, and behave with good sportsmanship.
Materials for the Monkey and Banana Matching Game:
- Scrapbooking paper
- Laminating Pouches
- Laminator
How to Make the Activity:
Step One:
Print two copies of the alphabet matching free printable letter cards on cardstock or scrapbook paper. I like to use patterned paper so the cards are not see-through.
Step Two:
Cut the cards apart. Laminate for durability, if you wish. Cut the letters apart.
Step Three:
To play the alphabet letter matching game, lay the cards out face down in a grid. Take turns turning over two cards. If the uppercase letter matches with the lowercase letter, it’s a match! Players keep all matches and go again until they turn over two unlike cards. Keep playing until all cards are matched.
Grasping and flipping cards over and over again is wonderful for fine motor skills!
If you don’t want to play a memory game, you can deal out one set of the alphabet matching cards printable and place the other set in a draw pile. Players take turns drawing a card from the draw pile. If they have a match in their hand, they can keep it and draw again. If not, play moves to the next person (think Go Fish)!
Extend the Activity:
Sequencing
Make another engaging learning activity with either set of letters, mix them up, and see if children can put them in ABC order.
Letter Sounds
After students master the alphabet upper and lowercase letter matching challenge, use the flashcards to explore letter sounds.
Play Dough
Engage the sense of touch by using the letter cards as play dough mats to practice forming each uppercase letter.
Name Necklace
Use yarn and a hole-punch to assemble cookie chain necklaces using the letters in students’ first names.
Process Art
Print the cards on regular paper to use with an art activity or painting activity where you roll marbles through tempera paint to make designs.
Face Up
Use the free alphabet matching printable for an easier game by placing cards face up in a grid. The same rules apply, but kids can see all the cards.
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More Alphabet Matching Games You’ll Love:
- Snowman Alphabet Matching Game
- Milk and Cookies Alphabet Matching Game
- Paint Theme Alphabet Matching Game
Want More Alphabet Matching Games?
How About More Letter Matching Ideas:
- Pumpkin Theme Matching Letter Game
- Pet Fish Alphabet Matching Game
- Mitten Letter Matching
- Alphabet Matching Printables For Preschool and Kindergarten
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