Letter Find

How to play this game

Letter Find is a great tool for children learning the letters of the alphabet. They can freely explore the letters, swap between keyboard layouts and try both upper and lower case letters. Simple graphics and an easy to navigate design make this a game children will love to play again and again.

This game has two different modes, free play and directive. Free play is great for children starting out on their early literacy journey. Directive mode is a must for children who enjoy a challenge.

Free play mode - open hand

This mode allows children to explore letters by clicking on the screen keyboard letters or pressing the letter keys on the keyboard connected to your computer.

Each letter appears in both upper and lower case. It is named and a picture of an item that starts with that letter is also shown above the keyboard.

Directive mode - wand hand

A letter and picture are displayed and the aim is to find the same letter on the keyboard. Either the screen or the computer keyboard may be used.

When the correct letter is found applause sounds, colours flash and the next letter is displayed.

There are two difficulties in directive mode, represented by the two blue bars under the wand hand. In the harder level the letter is named and the picture displayed, but the letter is absent.

For a clue, click on the green question mark button to have the letter repeated and briefly shown. The letter on the screen keyboard will also briefly flash.

Other features

Screen keyboard layouts can be changed at any time during the game.

Upper and lower case display can be switched at any time during the game.

To exit, click on the small hand on the red button in the upper right corner of the screen.

Related Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

Developmental skills

Letter sequence

Upper and lower case letters

QWERTY keyboard layout

Using a computer keyboard

Mouse control - single click

Using a help button

Listening skills

Observation skills

Decision-making

Free play

Teaching tips

Teachers can use this game in a number of different ways. It can be used with great effect in group sessions.

• Using the ABC layout on the screen keyboard helps to reinforce alphabet sequencing. This is great for children who are just starting to learn their letters.
• When children are confident with letter recognition, mix up the letters by changing to the screen QWERTY keyboard. Progress on to using the computer keyboard.
• In free play mode, turn the sound down and ask children to name each letter as it appears. Encourage them to name the associated picture and think of other things that start with that letter.
• Use both the upper and lower case option to foster familiarity and confidence with both forms of the letters. Discuss when each type is used, such as upper case at the start of people's names.
• Encourage the use of the help button if children are having difficulty in the directive mode.
• Turn the sound down in the directive mode and ask children to name the picture first and then name its starting letter.