Good Ways to Teach Pre-K Students to Write the Alphabet

Use a child's love of drawing to teach letters.

Children can begin to recognize letters around age 2 and write them by age 4. Teaching a child the alphabet can be accomplished by reading books to your child and identifying the letters she sees as you read. Children begin learning that letters make up the words they see in books this way. Between age 2 and 4, encourage your child to use crayons and pencils to start developing the manual dexterity necessary for writing. By the time she is pre-kindergarten age, she'll be ready to start writing letters.

Start with Names

Most children recognize the letters in their names first, so use the letters in your child's name to teach writing the alphabet. When your child draws a picture, write her name on the bottom and then identify each letter for her. Make a sign for your child's room that spells out her name to encourage her to learn those letters and then begin writing them.

Early Writing

Make an alphabet book with your child using blank paper. Print one letter in the alphabet at the top of each page and leave space beneath it. Encourage your child to trace the letter and then write it underneath using colorful crayons. As you go through the book, talk about words that begin with each letter.

Play with Letters

When your child is playing outside, use nature to help her learn to write letters. Trace letters in the sand at the beach or in a sandbox, in the dirt or in the snow. Let your child use finger paints to write the alphabet. This will help develop the coordination needed to form letters without holding a pencil. When she's at play, ask her to identify the letter her toy begins with -- for example, “b” for ball. Ask her to draw a ball and then write the letter “b.”

Alphabet Aids

Use alphabet coloring books to help your child learn to write letters. Each page contains coloring pictures of objects that begin with a specific letter. Also give your child tracing pages with letter shapes. These are fun for children to complete and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Letters Make Words

Use alphabet blocks to form words children can copy.

Use alphabet blocks to help your child make words. Give her a piece of construction paper and ask her to copy the letters of the words you've made. Use the blocks to make words for her toys, friends, pets and herself. Take turns letting her choose the words or objects and drawing the letters.

References

• Baby Center: What's the Best Way to Teach My Child to Write the Alphabet?; Judith Hudson
• JustMommies; Ten Creative Ways to Teach Your Child the Alphabet
• Reading a-z.com; Alphabet Overview