LEARNING THE ALPHABET

Learning the alphabet is key to learning to read and write. young children may not fully understand the relationship between letters and sounds but they can begin to recognize and learn the names of the letters. They should also be beginning to learn letters in their names, their friend’s names, or special words like ‘love’.

TIPS TO TEACHING YOUR CHILD THE ALPHABET

• Cut out alphabet letters and post them on your refrigerator or wall in child’s play area, so your child can become familiar with how the letter looks and its name. Depending on the age of the age of your child you may even want to tell your child what sound the letter makes.

• Preschool children can learn what letters are in their names

• You may also want to have letters that your child can play with.

For example: magnetic letters on the refrigerator, alphabet puzzles, pillows in the shape of letters that spell out the child’s name, etc.

• As young as 18 months you can introduce and identify the first letter of your child’s name.

• Make learning letters fun. Play letter games.

For example: you might ask your child named Suzy, “I love someone who’s name starts with the letter ‘S’, who is that?”

• Expose your child to both upper and lower case letters. You may want to get a puzzle that shows the upper and lower case letters beside each other. Alphabet books that display both cases reinforces visual recognition.

• When beginning to learn to write, teach your child how to hold a pencil or crayon. Begin with having the children practice making straight lines and circles.

• Encourage your child learn to write their name.

• When reading to children invite them to pick out letters.

For example: Let’s who can find all the letters “S” on the page.

• Sing the alphabet song together

• Provide multi-sensory experiences to make letters.

For example: make letters out of playdough, fingerpainting letters, make letters in the snow or sand

• Play games with your child in which they make letters with their body.

For example: L and O.

When you prepare your child in this important learning skill, you are giving your child tools that they will need to become successful in reading and writing. Most every childcare should have as part of their curriculum many of the experiences noted above. Ask your childcare provider what they are doing daily to enhance letter recognition, and ask for suggestions that you can do to continue this learning at home.