Reading and Writing Center Play Materials and Equipment

Many of  these items are easily found, and/or are recyclables.  Find reliable sources for commercial products on the links page.

• Table (homemade or purchased, sized for young children)
• Chair(s)
• Desk and chair
• Low, open shelves
• Bulletin board
• Magnet boards and alphabet and number magnets
• Alphabet blocks, tiles and puzzles
• Alphabet sponges, stamps, and stamp pads
• Alphabet books
• Clipboards
• Envelopes
• Junk mail, catalogs
• Magazines
• Empty food containers
• File folders and boxes
• Mailbag and mailbox
• Chalkboards
• Chalk (white and colors)  
• Paper (lined and unlined, different sizes, colors, textures)
• Markers (thick and thin tips)
• Crayons
• Colored pencils
• Erasable boards, markers and erasers
• Magic slates
• Ready made blank books
• Bookbinding materials (hole punch, stapler, yarn)
• Scissors
• Old typewriter
• Computer or device with age appropriate apps and programs

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​More about letters and literacy ...

• ​Establishing the Environment for Early Literacy Development
• 52 Games and Activities to Make Learning Letters and Sounds Fun​
• Teaching Letters to Young Children (Letter of the week, or not?)
• ​Alphabet A-Z Phonics Activity Packs
• Alphabet theme page
• ​Alphabet packs in the store