As the parent of a preschooler, you need ways to help your child learn the alphabet. Since we know that kids learn best through interactive play, here are ten fun and playful ideas to help your child learn the alphabet.
1. Sing the alphabet song while marching and dancing around your house.
There's a good reason to learn with songs — music helps us remember things! Add movement and it's even better.
2. Build with alphabet blocks.
Say the letters and you help your child build towers and buildings.
3. Read alphabet books.
There are so many great alphabet books about different things can help reinforce your child's alphabet knowledge. Make your own personalized alphabet book with this book kit software or your own digital photographs.
4. Make alphabet cookies; eat alphabet cereal or crackers.
My kids love CheezIts Scrabble tiles for yummy alphabet snacks. Don't forget about Alphabits and alphabet soups either.
5. Play Alpha Catch. (photo above and right)
Alpha Catch is an active alphabet catching and throwing game. Each ball is a letter. When caught with the mitt, it sticks with the Velcro. Say your letters or sounds and playfully practice your alphabet – it's fun and practices large motor skills at the same time.
6. Play-dough alphabet.
Get out your play dough and make your name out of your favorite color. An adult can help by providing the letters traced on a paper that the child can cover up.
7. ABC Cookie Game.
No, these aren't real cookies but a cookie jar of games and letters for young children. Brain food is yummy, too!
8. Alphabet puzzles.
I love puzzles for learning, don't you? Kids learn the letters as shapes first – which is why they're writing sometimes is backwards or reversed – the letters don't yet have meaning. Knowing the shape is the important first step in learning the letters. Puzzles reinforce this.
Find a sandbox or make your own and write your letters in the sand.
10. Make an alphabet sensory tub.
Give your kids a tub filled with wonderful tactile things – beans, rice, pasta, and alphabet letters! If you use magnetic letters, you can "fish" for the certain letters. Or have kids scoop out letters or use big tweezers to practice small motor skills.
Everything you do helps your child learn and reinforce the learning. There is no right way to parent or teach – just find what works for your child and make it fun!
