If you’re a brand new homeschooler with a preschooler underfoot, you’re probably excited to begin teaching your child. One of the first concepts most parents introduce their children is the alphabet. If you’re interested in how to teach your child the alphabet, there are several things you can do to make it both educational and enjoyable!
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How To Teach My Child the Alphabet
Sing the ABC Song with a Poster
One of the first things you can do to teach the alphabet is begin singing the ABC song with your child. Sing it during bath time or before bed. Sing it during play. Your child will pick up on it quickly and begin singing it along with you. You can also print out a free ABC poster and point to the letters while you sing. This will help your child associate the letter with its name.
To teach letter sounds, you can create a phonics song for each letter of the alphabet while holding up ABC flashcards or pointing to the ABC poster. The song from Leapfrog Letter Factory, “Every Letter Makes a Sound,” is a great one to use.
Play Alphabet Games
Alphabet games are a fun way to reinforce letter names and letter sounds. One that children love only involves some sidewalk chalk and a spray bottle of water. Write letters on the sidewalk or your driveway and call out a letter name or sound. Your child can find the letter and spray it away with the water!
You can use alphabet flashcards to play a game of memory. Use uppercase and lowercase flashcards and lay them face down. The goal is for your child to match the uppercase and lowercase letters.
There are many other wonderful ABC games you can play with your child and they will incorporate well with your preschool lesson plans.
Read ABC Books
Most children enjoy story time with mom or dad. Purchase a couple of books that focus on the letters of the Alphabet to help your child learn to recognize letters. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and The ABC Bunny are two favorites. Make it a ritual to read the books with your child once a day for a while and you will see your child begin to recognize the letters!
Point Out Letters in Everyday Life
Do you have anything in your child’s room with his or her name on it? Talk about it with your child. Tell them the letters in their name while showing them. If you have any signs around your home, talk about those letters, too. Point out the letters on the STOP sign at the end of your street and everywhere else you see big, noticeable letters.
Practice Writing with Sand
To help your child build fine motor skills, have him or her practice writing letters in sand. Simply fill a small plastic container with sand and let your child use a finger to make letters. You can also do this with salt or cornmeal. Sit down with your child and show him or her how to move the finger to form the letters.
Teaching your child the alphabet doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Just begin introducing the letters in an organic way and slowly work on adding in alphabet skills playfully and your child will be well on his or her way to knowing the ABCs!
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Joanie Boeckman is an army wife and mama of six amazing kids. She’s a blogger and homeschooler who loves to help others moms simplify life, home, and homeschool. After earning her English Lit degree she decided to pursue full time wife and mama life. She’s the author of My Homeschool Preschool Planner and Teach the Alphabet. You can find her blogging at Simple Living Mama, and while you’re there check out her YouTube channel and Instagram.
by Stephanie, The Multi Taskin' Mom
This Post Has 16 Comments
Great!
They all look great! I really like the World War II On the Home Front! It looks so cool!
The Art of quilling looks amazing! How fun!
Thank you for this post. I am new to homeschooling and this is a great start for my son.
I like the United State game!
I like the covered wagon notebook project.
Roaring 20’s or Covered Wagon
Love the ideas for preschoolers! Running with the alphabet to begin with. Sidewalk chalk letters with a spray bottle is perfect for our hot Chicago summer day. Thank you for such great ideas.
I teach younger kids, so this preschool pack looks amazing. From the Home School in the Woods, I like the Penny Rug!
I would get the art of quilting
the orchestra file folder game would be fun paired with a trip to the orchestra hall!
I think the Art of Quilling looks the most exciting!
I like many of them but the Armor of god looks great.
I love the going west on a covered wagon resource. My son loves old west stuff.
The Art of Quilling and the Jamestown replica both are intriguing. My kids would enjoy both.
Would love to win!!