Evidence-based curriculum for ages 2-8

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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.

Table of Contents

What Are Prefixes?

Why Learning Prefixes Is Important for Young Readers

Helpful Tips When Teaching Prefixes

List of Common Prefixes and Their Meanings

Printable List of Common Prefixes

Fun Activities for Learning Prefixes

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

Learning prefixes is a fantastic way to grow a child’s vocabulary. Understanding prefixes can help young readers break down new words and figure out their meanings. This can boost confidence in reading and helps with reading comprehension.

By learning just a few prefixes, children can create and understand many new words. For example, by knowing the prefix pre- (meaning “before”), they’ll recognize words like preschool (“before school”) and preview (“see before”).

Helpful Tips When Teaching Prefixes

Common Prefixes and Their Meanings

Here are some of the most common prefixes that kids encounter. Each prefix has its meaning listed and can help form many words when added to a base word.

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
pre–beforepreview, 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
Get This List as a Free Printable

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Engaging Activities for Learning Prefixes

These activities can help make learning prefixes a fun and interactive experience. Here are some ideas to try at home or in the classroom:

  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.

This collection of worksheets spotlights these key word parts and provides a fun way for children to grow their understanding of them.

Austin and Scout: The Well of Prefixes

Austin and Scout Prefix learning game on ABCmouse.com.

In this game, children help Austin and Scout escape an ancient well by choosing the correct prefix and root word to complete sentences. Note: This game requires an ABCmouse subscription to play.

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