The Science Behind Our Sight Words Game
How Movement, Repetition, and Play Are Transforming Early Literacy
At The Fidget Game, we believe learning should be joyful, hands-on, and backed by research. Our best-selling game The Fidget Game Sight Words was created by former teachers to help students master the high-frequency words they need for fluent reading through movement, repetition, and play.
But this isn’t just any sight word practice.
Our game is grounded in the Science of Reading and designed to support all types of learners, including students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so effective.
1. Multisensory Learning Builds Stronger Connections
Research shows that children retain information better when they engage multiple senses. That’s why our game includes a fidget mat that allows students to see the word, say the word, and pop bubbles on the fidget mat to stay engaged. This multisensory approach activates more areas of the brain, reinforcing learning through touch, sight, and sound.
For students with autism, dyslexia, or sensory processing challenges, this hands-on experience provides the structure and repetition they need while also offering calming, regulating sensory input.
2. Teaching the Difference: Heart Words vs. Lightning Words
Not all words are created equal and students need to understand the difference. Some sight words follow regular phonics rules and can be sounded out. These are what we call Lightning Words, they can be decoded quickly with phonics knowledge.
Other words contain irregular spelling patterns and must be memorized by heart. These are known as Heart Words, the ones students need to learn "by heart" because they can’t sound them out conventionally.
Our Sight Words Game makes this distinction clear, helping students build both decoding and automatic recognition skills. By explicitly teaching which words can be sounded out and which must be memorized, students develop true reading fluency not just memorization.
3. Repetition Without the Boredom
We know sight words require multiple exposures, but we also know kids don’t learn best from rote memorization. Our game delivers built-in repetition through engaging gameplay. Students review words again and again without even realizing they’re practicing making it easy to retain even the trickiest words.
4. Game-Based Learning Boosts Motivation
Gamification makes learning exciting and accessible. Students don’t just sit and study, they move, play, and connect with the content. Fidgets provide a fun, tactile way to stay engaged and focused, especially for children with attention or sensory needs.
Instead of feeling like work, learning sight words becomes something kids look forward to.
5. Trusted by Teachers. Loved by Students.
Used in thousands of classrooms and homes across the country, The Fidget Game Sight Words is making a difference for all types of learners. Teachers report increased confidence, better recall, and more engagement especially for students who struggle with traditional methods.
Ready to Make Sight Words Stick?
Support your students with a tool that brings together movement, multisensory learning, and a clear understanding of Heart Words and Lightning Words.
[Shop The Sight Words Game Now]
