How to Teach a Child the Alphabet

Learning to write the alphabet is a task all beginning school-age children must undertake. Here's an approach parents may use to teach the basic steps to help the process move smoothly. Teaching a child the proper way to hold a pencil is the most important part of learning to write. Forming letters correctly and memorizing how to write the letters of the alphabet is the last step.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lined paper
• Pencil with eraser

1. Teach your child to start recognizing the letters of the alphabet first. Review the alphabet to ensure he recognizes all letters before you begin teaching him to write.

2. Point at each letter and pretend to write the letter with your finger. Have your child do the same. Make sure you are beginning in the proper place.

3. Trace the letter at first with your child's finger and then with a pencil. Your child should hold the pencil properly between his thumb, pointer and index finger. Use tracing pages or letter practice sheets.

4. Have him write an individual letter. After tracing, the next step is to write each letter while looking at an example.

5. Help your child write the letters of the alphabet without any example. Give her time to think about forming the letter. Allow time to trace with her finger before actually writing the letter on paper.

6. Repeat the process for every letter of the alphabet. Take as much time as needed. Certain letters will obviously be easier to master. He will probably master the letter "O" quickly, while he may need a lot of practice for the letter "K."

Tips & Warnings

• Use lined paper so your child can understand letter proportions and proper formation. If you aren't sure where to begin each letter, check with your child's teacher or an educational resource.
• Set up a quiet work area for your child with little distraction.
• Add some fun games to the lessons that aren't necessarily focused on writing but instead on possible alphabet recognition.
• Take a break. A child's attention span is approximately 1 minute per year of her age. Don't expect them to stay focused for extended periods of time.
• Don't write on your child's paper. Use a separate piece of paper to show the correct way to form a letter. Avoid unconsciously teaching your child you're taking over his work.

Resources

• Writing the Alphabet