How to Teach Toddlers the Alphabet
The trick to teaching toddlers the alphabet is to have the process occur naturally, as a part of having fun. Toddlers are too young for "school" of any kind, but they do love learning. By simply introducing letters of the alphabet as part of other activities, they will catch on amazingly quickly.
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Instructions
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Cut a large letter uppercase "A" out of construction paper and laminate it. Present it to your child saying, "Look, I made you an "A." No further comments are necessary, although you might suggest the "A" go for a ride in the wagon or perch atop a tower of blocks. Then, as you see upper case "A's," point them out. "Look, on this cereal box: I found an "A." or "Hey, on your Gap hat, there's an "A" right in the middle." Over the next few days, ask the child to find the "A" on those items. Resist the temptation to introduce more letters. Just cart that "A" around for a while, finding more here and there.
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Next, read your child an alphabet book. A good suggestion: "Dr. Seuss's ABC's" is particularly beloved for its humor and rhythm. As you read, point out that "A" is a letter the child knows--but there are many more letters. Pay particular attention to "B."
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Cut out a letter "B" now, and make sure your child can differentiate between the two. "Which one is the "A"?" you ask. If the child cannot make this differentiation, she is not ready to learn the alphabet. Wait a couple of months to start again.
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Teach your child the "ABC song," explaining that the song begins with "A" and "B." Emphasize those two letters as you sing.
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Buy plastic letters with magnetic backs to attach to the refrigerator. Only bring out those letters you have already talked about.
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Use a child's personal favorite activities to continue introducing letters. For example, a child who loves Play-doh will be fascinated as you create molded letters. A child who is fascinated with trains will love to drive them around letters you have decorated with train track.
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Continue to introduce letters using the same methods above. Point them out as you see them in daily activities and on errands, finding them in the alphabet book, emphasizing them as you sing the alphabet song, adding them to the collection on the refrigerator and introducing them into a child's favorite activities.
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Tips & Warnings
Only introduce one new letter at a time to avoid confusion. Be sure to review the letters previously learned prior or after introducing a new letter.
Resources
- Photo Credit alphabet image by Blue Moon from Fotolia.com
