Homemade Word Searches

Posted on November 21, 2009
Filed Under Learning Games, Learning Tools, Reading |

Here is another tool I’ve used when my kids were really young (3-4) - homemade word searches.

There are a lot of word search books out there for older children (we have a few on our book shelves) but it’s almost impossible to find ones for the “cat, hat, sat, mat” level. Generally puzzles are created based on themes, not on reading level.

A child’s first puzzles should be extremely easy. Your son or daughter needs to feel the gratification of actually finding the words themselves, and it shouldn’t be so hard that they don’t want to continue. It’s not about studying, but rather exposure to reading while having fun.

If you have large square graph paper you can use that, or a ruler and pen to create a grid, or of course the computer (Word and Excel both work well).  Use no more than four words in the beginning, increasing later as your child gets bored with the easy starter puzzles. The beauty of homemade puzzles is that they’re fully customizable to your child’s level.

Here’s a sample:

C    A    T

A    N    O

P     E    T

cap, cat, pet, tot

Have fun!

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Comments

2 Responses to “Homemade Word Searches”

  1.   
    Amber on November 22nd, 2009 4:27 pm

    Thanks for the tip! I think this is probably just about the right speed for my 4 1/2-year-old. :)

  2.   
    Better Learning on November 22nd, 2009 6:54 pm

    You’re welcome :) My kids loved them when I first started making them - I think they really appreciated the fact that they could do a whole puzzle, just like the big kids…

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