Alphabet

Children do not all have the same learning style, nor the same interests. Some children are keen to figure out the alphabet, copy and print letters and learn to write their name. Others are not at all interested to the point where they declare paper and pencil activities their “arch enemies” (direct quote). But all children love cookies. Mix up a batch of dough or use frozen dough–some kinds are better than others. Use only a few letters at a time and just watch how quickly a reluctant learner can identify a letter when the reward is eating the cookie. True, this could also be called bribery but the cookies can be the nutritious kind.

Here are some other ideas for ways to use letters at mealtimes. On pancake mornings pour a little batter in the shape of a letter and wait just a few seconds for the edges to dry. Then pour the rest of the pancake on top of the letter. When you flip the pancake over, it really does show the letter. Oh, the letter needs to be backwards.  For plain pancakes, pour the syrup in a letter. Ketchup can be squirted in letter shapes, too. Carrot slices and circles can make the alphabet. Time for a cup of  T.

Small muscle coordination is very much at the development stage for young children. Some inexpen- sive chalk and one sidewalk have lots of room for using b-i-g muscles to write out the alphabet. On hot days, an old, large paint brush and a pail of water work for painting the alphabet and for cooling off.  I wonder if I could use this same idea to get my car washed? What letter of the alphabet is always wet? The C (sea). 

I am almost reluctant to remind families about using magnetic letters as a tool to help children learn the alphabet. Even though it has been years and years, I remember one pre-supper ‘arsenic hour’, when I gave my daughter a few letters to amuse her while I worked in the kitchen. Somehow, one of the letters got caught between the door and the fridge, the door didn’t close, swung back open, causing my daughter to lose her balance and fall on her baby brother.  Supper was late. However, magnetic letters are a good resource. Children not only need to learn 26 letters of the alphabet, they really have to learn 52 with both upper close and lower case.  In any case, (deliberate word play) starting off with just upper case letters is easier. Speaking of fridges, what letter of the alphabet is a vegetable? The letter P(ea).

  Motivating a young child to practice printing letters of the alphabet can be quite tricky. Printing is not an easy activity for kids–the necessary muscles and coordination for such fine motor control are still growing.  We can spark their interest and help them practice and develop control with activities that have a little challenge and a big … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Rainbow Letters →

Put on a jacket. We’re going for a walk around the alphabet. For children to really learn a new concept, it is helpful to input the information in all manner of ways. To learn the alphabet children need to hear it, say it, sing it, feel it, manipulate it, roll it, and more and do … Continue reading Kindergarten Activities – Walk Around the Alphabet →