While I am all about authentic reading when it comes to improving reading skills, sometimes there’s a place for a game in the mix.

Two of my favorite reading games that don’t look like reading games are Blink

and Spot It!

Both of these games are fast and fun and require a crazy amount of visual discrimination. Players must decide quickly if they see matching colors, shapes, numbers, pictures. Differences will be subtle but crucial.

Whenever I play these games, I am reminded of children who struggle to read sight words. Those kids that have a hard time deciphering the difference between ‘that’ and ‘than’, ‘where’ and ‘were.’

My list of visually confusing words could go on forever and forever. Our English language is not forgiving to those who struggle with visual discrimination.

With both Blink and Spot It!, children can have laugh and play while strengthening their visual discrimination skills. Sounds like a win-win to me…