One of the best ways you can help your child learn to read sight words is through engaging and fun educational games. I have pulled together this list of my absolute favorites for 1st grade sight word games your child will love!
A List Of First Grade Sight Words
Although I rarely use grade level in our learning, as a reference, I thought it would be good to take a look at an official list of sight words for first grade.
| and | can | come | I | in | is | not |
| out | said | you | get | go | no | run |
| the | this | up | we | will | yes | a |
| be | big | do | down | how | it | now |
| to | what | did | have | help | make | me |
| see | some | take | that | with | at | from |
| good | here | look | play | stop | too | us |
| want | don’t | fall | find | for | he | him |
| like | little | think | where | are | his | just |
| new | of | put | them | there | they | went |
| all | am | ask | going | has | keep | let |
| may | my | she | but | fly | here | made |
| say | so | soon | these | were | your | bring |
| call | give | jump | red | ride | thank | then |
| when | who | blue | got | it | know | many |
| must | our | ran | try | yellow | came | first |
| green | on | over | read | show | those | was |
| which | does | into | long | off | one | or |
| please | saw | sleep | walk | far | about | again |
| by | could | had | light | live | two | very |
| after | open | sing | start | tell | use | well |
| why | wish | would | an | any | better | brown |
| found | much | pick | small | together | work | as |
| best | eat | fast | four | funny | laugh | their |
| three | under | ate | before | both | cut | gave |
| its | never | old | only | pull | always | carry |
| because | every | five | grow | not | pretty | right |
| white | around | away | been | clean | cold | done |
| draw | full | today | write | black | buy | drink |
| goes | hurt | kind | own | round | seven | warm |
| once | eight | hold | myself | upon | shall | wash |
| sit | ten | six |
Why Children Struggle To Learn Sight Words
Many children struggle when presented with a sight word as part of their reading practice. This is because sight words rely solely on familiarity and memorization for the child to be able to identify and read it.
The younger your child is, the less exposure they’ve had to these words, and the less likely they are to be able to immediately recall them.
Even if your child is well beyond the first grade, these words can cause difficulties for many readers, and may require an out-of-box approach to learning them.
The Power Of Adding Play To Learning To Read
If you’ve been following our site for any length of time, you’re already know that we are game obsessed.
Children are doing so much more than simply having fun when they are engaged in play. Playing games works on a host of skills, including:
- Verbal communication
- Self-regulation
- Turn-taking
- Sharing
- Listening
- Cooperation
- Focus and attention
- Following directions
- Creativity
- Social skills
- Learning to handle wins and losses
- Cognitive skills such as counting, color/shape/pattern recognition, strategy, problem solving, early literacy, etc.
It has been said that play is the science of childhood. There is something to be said for the hands-on, experiential learning that playing games together provides. Research has shown that student outcomes are much better in both understanding and retention when an element of play is added to the learning.
First Grade Sight Word Games: Multi-Sensory And Hands-On
These games are perfect for practicing sight words. All of them contain hands-on and multi-sensory learning that is ideal for this age group.
Sight Words Splat
Sight Words Splat is a card game that helps kids practice quick recall of sight words.
Zingo
Zingo from Think Fun is a personal favorite. It’s the Bingo of sight word games with a little extra multisensory action as kids “feed” the cards into the Zingo case.
Matching Letter
Matching Letter helps with the basics of reading sight words, and also spelling them!
Dino Stomp
Dino Stomp is perfect for kids who love to move as they learn. Stomp on the sight words as you practice.
Pop For Sight Words
Pop is an easy, grab and go game to help your first grader practice their sight words.
Sight Word SWAT
Sight Word SWAT is fun even for mom! Kids literally swat sight words as they practice with their very own “fly swatters”. This one is a favorite!
More First Grade Sight Word Games
I have curated an entire list that can help you see all that’s available for first grade sight word games. In addition to the above games, you may also want to consider:
Looking For More Educational Games For Kindergarten and First Grade?
Playing educational (and non-educational) games with your first grader is something you’ll never forget!
Looking for more gameschooling resources?
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Never Board Learning [Gameschooling Community]
Never Board Learning is a private online community for creative parents and educators who embrace play-based learning and gameschooling. This is a wonderful way to add more educational games and interest-led learning to your homeschool routine.
Never Board Learning features a private community forum (not Facebook), guest speakers, live Q and As, day-in-the-life family spotlights, a private blog, and access to a growing printable resource library.
Join Never Board Learning today and have more fun tomorrow! Learn more here.
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Gameschooling 101: How to Add More Play to Your Homeschool Day [Self-Paced Digital Course]
Play can boost connection, fuel learning, and revolutionize your homeschool routine. We all know play is an essential part of child development, but how do you fit it in when you have a huge homeschool to-do list?
In this digital course, you’ll learn how to add more play to your homeschool day with gameschooling. Gameschooling is the intersection of play and homeschooling and it can change your entire homeschool atmosphere for the better!
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Never Board Learning and My Little Poppies [Storefront]
Visit the NBL and MLP Amazon Storefront for more gameschooling, homeschooling, and book recommendations!
