The Connett Connection: Alphabet and Number Seek and Find Mats

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Alphabet and Number Seek and Find Mats - Back to School Buses

It's that time of year when we all start going back to school. One thing that goes on in many preschool and kindergarten classrooms around this time is an evaluation of what letters and numbers your students already know so you can begin instruction where it is most beneficial for your students. These back to school mats provide a fun, hands on way to introduce letters and numbers, or for students who already have learned to identify letters and numbers, this activity provides an engaging way for students to review this material.

There are a variety of ways to use these alphabet and number mats. One of our favorite ways to use these mats is to use dot markers to record the letters we find. Once a card is turned over (or found if you hide them in a sensory bin or around the room) is for students to use the dot marker to record which letter or number they saw.

Students can also simply color the number or letter they turn over or find. This makes a great fine motor activity for students to practice staying in the lines.

Adding bingo chips makes this a great table top center for students to work on independently. Students will turn over a card then use a bingo chip to cover the correct letter or number.

Instead of bingo chips, you can use magnetic letters or numbers. You can place this page on a cookie sheet to actually have the letter or number magnets stick. With this activity, students will turn over the card, find the matching magnet and then match it to the number or letter on the mat.

If you want just a simple matching activity, you can just use the mats with magnets or mini erasers to match the letters on the mat. In this picture my toddler would grab a magnetic letter and then find it on the school bus mat and place it on top.

Another activity is a write and wipe activity. This can make a great writing center for students who need some handwriting practice. Students will turn over a card then trace the number they found. This can also be a write the room activity where students walk around the room to find the number then trace it on their mats.