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Mother and daughter writing prefixes in her notebook at the kitchen table.

Prefixes for Kids: A Simple Guide with Activities & Printable Lists

Here’s a straightforward way to explain prefixes to children, along with examples, fun activities, and a free printable list.

What Are Prefixes?

A prefix is a small group of letters added to the beginning of a word. By adding a prefix, we can create a new word with a slightly different meaning. For example, the prefix re- means “again,” so when we add it to the word do, we get a new word–redo, which means “to do again.” Another example is the prefix un-, which means “not.” When added to the word happy, we get the new word unhappy, meaning “not happy.”

Colorful bubble clouds filled with words that have the un- prefix like unhappy, or unmotivated.

Why Learning Prefixes Is Important for Young Readers

Helpful Tips When Teaching Prefixes

Common Prefixes and Their Meanings

PrefixMeaningExample Words
anti-againstantibacterial, antifreeze, antivirus
auto-selfautobiography, autopilot, autograph
bi-twobicycle, bilingual, biweekly
co-together or withcooperate, coauthor, coexist
de-off or removedefrost, deactivate, decode
dis-opposite ofdisagree, dislike, disappear
en-/em-cause toenable, embrace, empower
ex-out or formerexit, exhale, exchange
in-/im-notincorrect, impossible, inactive
inter-between or amonginteract, international, interview
micro-smallmicroscope, microchip, microorganism
mis-wrong or badlymisplace, misunderstand, misspell
multimanymulticolor, multitask, multimedia
non-not or withoutnonsense, nonstop, nonfiction
over-too muchovercook, overload, overheat
prebeforepreview, preschool, preheat
re-againrewrite, redo, replay
semi-half or partlysemicircle, semiannual, semifinal
sub-under or belowsubmarine, subway, subzero
super-above or beyondsuperhero, supervisor, superhuman
trans-across or throughtransport, transmit, translate
tri-threetriangle, tricycle, tripod
un-notunhappy, undo, unequal
uni-oneunicycle, uniform, unicorn

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Engaging Activities for Learning Prefixes

  1. Matching Games: Create a matching game where kids match prefixes with words or definitions. For example, pair re- with do to create redo or un- with do to create undo.
  1. Prefix Hunt: When reading books or even signs along the road, look for prefixes and challenge your child to spot as many as possible as they read.
  1. Prefix Flashcards: Use flashcards with a prefix on one side and example words on the other. This helps reinforce both the meaning of the prefix and its application in words.
  1. Word Creation Challenge: Encourage kids to create their own words by adding prefixes to familiar words. How many words can they make with ex- or im-?
  1. ABCmouse Prefix Activities: ABCmouse offers interactive resources for learning prefixes, with games and fun exercises designed to reinforce prefix learning. Here are a few examples:

Prefix (and Suffix) Worksheets

Free printable prefix and suffix worksheets from ABCmouse.com.

Austin and Scout: The Well of Prefixes

Austin and Scout Prefix learning game on ABCmouse.com.

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