Small steps, big progress!
Match and Spell Next Steps is the follow up game to Match and Spell. It is designed for children 5 plus, but I have played a lot with my 4 year old and she is fine with it. I would recommend this for children aged 4-7.
Like Match and Spell, it is a beautifully presented little spelling game perfect for children looking to develop their spelling skills. The box comes with 78 letter cards, and 18 double sided word boards.
The difference with this to Match and Spell is it has longer words such as “Flower,” “Rabbit” and “Stork and digraph letter combinations for slightly older children.
Children will know how to play with this game without the need for the included instructions and will instantly start matching the letters to the word boards before you have even had a chance to put the kettle on!
Double the learning, double the fun!
The word cards are double sided. One side shows the word already spelt out to help younger children as they try to match the letters on the card with the letter cards available. A great way for younger children to learn and help them develop their recognition and matching skills.
The other side is blank to help promote language and literacy skills, so as your child grows in their confidence and spelling, they can try to spell the word on their own.
The box has a mix of single letters, double and triple letter digraphs. “Knight” for example is spelt with a “Kn”, “igh” and a “t”. I found this to be the most challenging word in the box for my 4 year old, but after a few plays, she was able to spell this on her own quite easily. I saw the progression in her confidence and abilities after just a few plays with this over a couple of hours. The game helps children with the digraphs but showing a solid line where more than one letter is expected
Floor Play
The game is at its best when you can spread out the letter cards so your children can look through them all clearly. As such, this is the perfect floor game. Get some cushions, throw out the letters and spend some quality time with your children. Having fun and helping their language and spelling skills.
The whole set up is designed to make spelling fun and help children feel assured. I would not hesitate in recommending this to anyone who wants to help their children with their spelling abilities and self-confidence. We like to make a silly tale with the words once we are done. This helps encourage my children to want to play this even more. Just to hear the crazy things we come up with at the end with the words they have chosen. A real family treat!