Try This Game: Every Letter Is Special!

Are you looking for a game that kids will find fun—but also offers a boost of literacy learning? Here’s how to play the game called “Every Letter Is Special.”

For ages 5–8

The Big Idea: Every person is unique. And so is every letter!

The game “Every Letter is Special” gets kids thinking about the many roles letters play in reading.

The game can be played in a classroom, library, or small group and requires very little preparation.

What You Need

• Written alphabet to keep track of letters (optional)
• Imagination & creativity!

How to Play

Stand in a circle. The first child says, “Letter A!” then names something special about Letter A. The next child says, “Letter B!” then names something that only Letter B can do. Go around the group, each child taking on the next letter. You may have to go through the group two of three times, depending on the size of the group, until you get through the whole alphabet.

If a child needs help coming up with an idea for what their letter can do, their peers may chime in to help. This is a non-competitive, creative, positive game. For example:

• My letter is A. A is the first letter of the alphabet.
• My letter is B. B is a letter but it is also the word for an insect that buzzes.
• My letter is C. C can sound like “k” or “s.”
• My letter is D. The small d looks like a backwards b.
• My letter is E. It’s the first letter in “elephant.”
• Etc.

Every letter is important. Every letter is different.

In this game, the group goes through the alphabet thinking about the many roles the letters play. This sparks curiosity and resilience when reading.