Tap It - Map It - Zap It Board is an innovative, multi-sensory phonics tool designed to make the science of reading fun and effective. Following the principles of the Orton-Gillingham approach, this board helps children master orthographic mapping—connecting sounds (phonemes) to their written letters (graphemes)—a critical skill for fluent reading and spelling.

How It Works:
Tap It: Children begin by saying the name of an object shown on a picture card and tapping out the individual sounds (phonemes) they hear in the word. They place one metal chip on the board for each sound they identify.

Map It: Next, they map those sounds by writing the corresponding letters (graphemes) in the writing area. This step connects auditory and visual learning, reinforcing letter-sound correspondence.

Zap It: Finally, children use the magnetic wand to "zap" the metal chips, blending the sounds together as they say the word again. This final step reinforces phonemic awareness and helps children recognize the complete word.

Teachers will appreciate the board’s clear, step-by-step process, which aligns with research-based reading instruction rooted in the science of reading. It provides a structured, multi-sensory experience that is especially beneficial for beginning readers, struggling readers, or children with dyslexia. The use of metal chips and a magnetic wand adds a tactile, playful element, making phonics practice engaging and memorable.

The Tap It - Map It - Zap It Board can be adapted for different skill levels. Teachers can start with simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and gradually introduce more complex words, digraphs, blends, and even multi-syllable words. This versatile, research-backed tool is an excellent addition to any Montessori or Orton-Gillingham-aligned language program.