The Preschooler

Musical Stairs

Most everyone has played the game “musical chairs” at some point in their lives.  You may remember the giddiness you felt when you got a chair or perhaps the disappointment in being the person who was “out” when the music stopped.  This version of the game can be played with one or more people, and no one ever has to leave the game.  The best part is that this game can be used to teach letter recognition and/or letter sounds.

Begin by putting one letter on the left side of each stair in your home.  Then, put another letter on the right side of each stair.  They do not need to be in order.  (Most homes have 13 stairs which works out perfectly.  If you have more than 13 stairs, just leave one blank here and there.  If you have less than 13 stairs, switch out a letter after each time one is landed on.)  Have your child walk up the left side of the stairs and down the right side as you play music.  When you stop the music, have your child name the letter and/or the sound it makes.  You can continue playing until your child indicates that she is ready to be done.  You can also play where the child picks up the letters as she lands on them.  You may need to move the letters to the bottom steps only as they get more sparse.  Playing the game in this way gives the child a definite indicator of when the game is over.

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Written by BRWI Staff on August 20, 2009