How to Teach Children the Alphabet
Activities for Preschoolers Learning Letter Recognition
May 19, 2009
Young children learning the alphabet can usually sing the Alphabet Song by the age of four according to Reading a-z. Learning letters in isolation can be very difficult and discouraging for young learners. Letters are the building blocks and should not be taught solely with paper pencil worksheets. Instead, parents can plan activities their child will enjoy taking part in.
Any activity should last only five to ten minutes per day depending on your child. Parents already know their child’s attention span and can time each activity accordingly. Secondly, plan only one activity per session introducing five letters at a time. Here are some ideas for you to use at home.
Bingo Dabber Letter Art
Using bingo dabbers have your child stamp out one large uppercase letter filling the entire space of an 8x10 piece of paper. Create each letter in alphabetical order and decorate the child's bedroom or playroom with these letters. The art your child creates will mean so much more to him than any store bought alphabet poster.
Magnet Letters
Place five magnet letters on a cookie sheet and tell your child the letter you would like for her to find. Children love when parents make a mistake and they catch you. Be sure to alternate turns when your child has mastered all letters and make a few mistakes.
Rice and Sandpaper Printing
Spread out a thin layer of uncooked rice on a cookie sheet. Show your child the letter you would like for him to draw in the rice. Repeat using other letters. This will give your sensory motivated learner another way to internalize letters. You can do the same activity with sandpaper. This time you can guide your child’s index finger to form the letter correctly.
Tracing Letters Together
Parents can trace a letter on your child’s back and have her guess which letter you just wrote. You can then switch roles and have your child trace on your back.
Bath Time Foam Letters
Parents can purchase a bucket of foam letters from any store usually found with children’s bath time toys. These letters are fantastic fun for your young learner in the bathtub. Parents can place letters on the side of the bathtub and review letters.
Shaving Cream Letters
Parents take a cookie sheet or spray shaving cream directly on your kitchen table. Ask your child to smooth out the cream to form a square. Hold your child’s index finger and assist him with forming a letter. Then ask your child to wipe the letter away and start again.
Learning the alphabet in no particular order is difficult for children, but an essential skill needed for their success as readers. Keeping activities short and engaging will make all the difference to children as they begin to learn the basics of reading.
if you found this article helpful check out Preschoolers Sensory Play for Young Children by Jackie Parsons.
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