Learning the ABCs is a fundamental step for children before they can learn to read. Letter Knowledge, one of the six pre-reading skills, means knowing that letters are different from each other; knowing their names and sounds; and recognizing letters everywhere. In order to read written words, children must understand that words are made up of individual letters and that each letter has its own name and sound.
Studies have shown that children learn about letters in stages.
- First they learn the names of letters.
- Secondly they begin to recognize the shapes of different letters.
- Finally, they match letter names with sounds
Teaching your child the alphabet song and reading ABC books together is a great place to start. Just know that all alphabet books are not created equal. Choose ones that are age appropriate. Younger children benefit from books that have clearly printed letters in capital and lower case, and pictures of familiar objects that begin with the most common sound of that letter. (For example, illustrating the letter “C” with a cat rather than a circle). Older children, who have some knowledge of the alphabet already, will benefit from books that illustrate each letter with pictures of less familiar objects (building vocabulary with new words) or that require interaction from the child to find hidden letters or answer questions about them. If you are not sure which alphabet books to choose, the children’s librarian will be happy to help you.
Learning shapes is a good way to prepare your child for learning letters. Being familiar with basic shapes helps a child recognize and distinguish different letters and different forms of the same letter. Puzzles and blocks are great toys for reinforcing the concept of shapes with young children. Older children can play at forming their own shapes and letters with snacks (pretzel sticks, drawing in pudding or yogurt), toys, flashlights in a darkened room, or with shaving cream in the bathtub. Use your imagination. When learning appears as play, children become engaged and learn more.
When introducing letter sounds, start with letters that will be important to your child, like the first letter of her name or of a favorite toy or subject (ie; D for dinosaur!). Point out the letter wherever you see it, inside the house or when out and about. Reinforce the sound whenever you use the letter. Work on only one or two new letters at a time, keeping the learning fun.
Here are some other activities you can use with your child to teach Letter Knowledge:
- Play with magnetic letters and shapes on the refrigerator. (If you can’t find magnetic shapes, try making them out of paper, cardboard and magnet strips.)
- Make letters out of various materials (sandpaper, foam, playdough etc.) and play games with them. Show your child how to trace the letters with their finger. Remember that children learn through all their senses. Touch is important.
- Write your child’s name on heavy paper or cardboard, saying each letter as you write it. Let your child trace the letters with his finger or a crayon.
- Make an ABC book by folding several sheets of paper in half and fastening the folded edges together with staples or yarn. Help your child find and cut out pictures that begin with the letters she has learned. Then paste them in the book on the correct letter page. Read the book together often.
- Talk about how two objects or pictures are the same. How are they different? The concept of same and different is a critical one for learning letters and for many other areas of knowledge.
Published on December 26, 2012.
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