Preschool Alphabet Learning Activities

Learning the alphabet is an important first step to learning to read

According to the United States Department of Education, children who start kindergarten with knowledge of the alphabet learn to read more easily than those children who are not aware of letters. In order to learn how to read, children must be able to name letters, recognize the first letter or letters of common words, understand capital and lowercase letters, and match letters with the sounds they represent. There are many alphabet learning activities that you can do with your child to help her learn the alphabet.

Hands-on Learning

The key to teaching your child the alphabet is to make sure that there are frequent opportunities for exposure to the alphabet in her daily life. Place alphabet-learning tools such as flashcards, books, blocks, puzzles and posters at eye level. Keep pipe cleaners, clay, yarn, crayons, paper and any other materials for forming letters readily accessible to your preschooler.

Letters are Everywhere

Help your child to notice the alphabet in the world around him. Point out the letters in street signs, food containers, restaurant awnings and anything else that he encounters.

Play the Name Game

One of the first words that your child will learn to read is her name, so it is important to help her identify the letters in it. Your child's name is in many places throughout her environment, such as on backpacks, lunch boxes, books and mail.

Be a Magnetic Teacher

Build on your child's knowledge of the alphabet by putting a set of magnetic letters at his eye level on the refrigerator. Encourage him to put the letters in order, spell his name and identify letters in familiar words and family members' names. Purchase foam letters designed for bathtub play so he can try these exercises while getting clean.

Songs and Games

Sing the alphabet song with your child, pointing to the letters on a chart as you sing. Play games that encourage alphabet learning. Start drawing a letter and encourage her to guess which letter you are writing.

References

• U.S. Department of Education: Teaching Our Youngest
• Scholastic.com: Learning the Alphabet