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How to Teach Alphabet Recognition in a Fun Way
Some parents have concerns about teaching their child alphabet recognition. The big question is, “Where do I start with teaching my child the alphabet?” I’ve heard some parents say, “My child will not sit long enough to learn it.” Others are laid back and depend on their child’s teacher to handle this task.
Then I’ve talked to teachers who are able to teach their whole class alphabet recognition with no problem. Other teachers find it difficult to teach when they have many children in their class on different levels. These are the teachers who find it helpful if parents work with their child at home in addition to school.
I understand, as a mother, this can be an overwhelming task because it is one of the first concepts children will learn. As a result of hearing from parents and teachers, I decided to teach my child the alphabet in a fun and relaxing manner.
Watch the video below and see my son at 21 months blend sounds to spell a word independently…
Many parents have the following questions about learning the alphabet…
When should a child recognize letters of the alphabet?
It is important to look at your local school district’s kindergarten program of studies. Our school district teaches kindergarteners to identify and name the upper-and-lower case letters of the alphabet. If you have a child that needs more time with alphabet recognition, then they may fall behind in class if you don’t work with them at home. I think it is safe for them to know it before starting kindergarten.
My son learned the alphabet at 18 months through play. I didn’t expect him to learn them until the age of three or four. When you teach it through fun learning methods, the child will want to learn more and more about the alphabet.
Should you teach letter names or sounds first?
Many people have different philosophies about whether to teach letter names or sounds first. I did it simultaneously. When my son was an infant, I would sing the Alphabet song to him with the sounds included. We played with soft alphabet blocks and I would identify the letter and the sounds associated with them. I also played songs, with a catchy beat, in the car with letter identification and phonics.
What are the steps to teach phonics?
Using play, songs, and books is a great way to teach phonics. Anytime my son and I read an alphabet book or played with an alphabet toy, we identified the letters and sounds (long and short sounds). Various books, songs, and toys that interest him were chosen to expose my son to the alphabet. I never wanted him to get bored with learning the alphabet using only one method. When a child is exposed to the alphabet and their sounds in various fun ways and methods, the learning becomes inevitable.
Once my son knew all the phonics, I showed him how to use them to sound out words like cat or pot. I also read books to him and played with puzzles and word games that included those same words for diverse repetition. Then I got him magnetic letters and asked him if he could spell words like bag or nut. When I said the words, I would slowly enunciate each letter sound so he could successfully spell it.
How do you teach the alphabet?
Before exposing my child to the alphabet, I did research on how to teach children through wholesome and playful learning. I applied my findings during playtime with my child and found that this teaching method works! Worksheets or flashcards were not used to initially teach my son alphabet recognition. They were incorporated after he knew them.
I used fun learning methods to teach the alphabet. This includes singing, dancing, painting, and using toys such as play doh to form the letters of the alphabet. There are so many ways to make it fun. I want to share with you what I have learned and experienced through a FREE Mini Course on How To Teach Alphabet Recognition in a Fun Way!
You may have a child that knows the alphabet, phonics, and is able to read. This FREE course is also for you. The principles taught in the course can be applied to almost ANY NEW CONCEPT you want your child to learn.
This method was used to teach my son…
- Basic Social and Hygiene Skills
- Life Skills
- Colors
- Shapes
- Write
- Read
- Tell Time
- The Planets and their functions
- Alphabet and Numbers in Spanish
- Addition and Subtraction
I could go on but you get the picture.
This course provides the following…
- Over 100 Tips, Activities, and Resources
- Tips for the Child who loses Interest in Learning the Alphabet
- How to Tailor lessons to your child’s pace
- How to change your mind set about learning and teaching
- The three basic learning styles in children
- How to determine your child’s learning style
- How to expose children to new concepts aligned with their learning style
- How children with certain learning styles tend to communicate
- The toys/activities children with certain learning styles tend to favor
- How to make learning fun and playful for children
- How to determine the best time to teach your child
- How to execute Fun In-Depth Learning
- How to use the 5 senses to teach your child
- How to combine In-depth learning and learning styles during play
- How to incorporate digital media in your child’s learning
- How to teach a child with more than one learning style
- How to Structure your Day
- How to progress to teaching your child the phonics
- How to track your child’s progress
- Daily thought-provoking assignments to hold you accountable
HOW DOES THIS MINI-COURSE WORK?
Just sign up for the FREE mini-course with the form at the bottom of this post. You will receive DAILY emails for 16 days with useful information, tips, tools, and an assignment.
You will receive your first email shortly after joining! Remember, it’s free!
YOU CAN DO THIS! I am here to help and guide you. The daily emails serve as positive reminders to encourage you to take small action steps.
I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you. Please share your progress with me as well!
By the way, if you need more help CLICK HERE to find out about our Workbook!
Have Fun Learning!
Our books are available on Amazon, “Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play,” “Fun Easy Ways to Teach Your Toddler to Write, and “Teach Your Child About Money Through Play.“
THE TEACH YOUR TODDLER TO READ THROUGH PLAY ONLINE COURSE HAS A $97 DISCOUNT.
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