Letter Knowledge

Know the letter name (Huang, Totorelli, & Invernizzi, 2014), and students with strong letter and sound knowledge are more likely to have strong reading skills and phonological awareness in first grade (Evans et al, 2006). Although little is known about the best ways to teach alphabet knowledge, research. Letter knowledge lays the foundation for early literacy. It is understanding that letters have names, that they are related to sounds, and that letters have different formations. Goals for Strong Readers Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.

Phoneme awareness and letter-sound knowledge account for more of the variation in early reading and spelling success than general intelligence, overall maturity level, or listening comprehension. They are the basis for learning an alphabetic writing system.
The letters G, B and E are heavily featured in the classic tale of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. This guided lesson uses the story to teach the letters G, B and E in a focused and fun narrative format. Using a story kids most already know gives them a leg up on letter recognition and boosts reading confidence.

Children must learn the names of the letters of the alphabet and the sounds of the letters. When they understand the connection between letters and their sounds then they will begin to understand that letters put together form words. This is the very foundation of reading!

For example, if we can say the sound of each of these letters – t + a + p, then we can blend them together to say “tap”.

Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet and know the sounds of each letter.

For example, the letter M says the sound “mmmmmm”

My Name

Names are the most meaningful words for children, so start with having your child learn the letters and sounds of their name. Talk about the child’s letter, for example, “Look Mia! I see your letter M, mmmmmmm, on that sign that says “Motorcycles”. Then have learn names of their siblings and favorite friend.

ABC Hunt

Find a word with the letter “a” in it while driving in the car or shopping at the grocery store. Try to find all 26 letters!

Cut It Out

Cut out letters that you see in magazines or from junk mail. “Can you cut out 3 letter M’s?”

Say Sounds

Talk about the sounds that letters make. It can be a quick conversation, “Hey, what letter does the word “food” start with? F! What sound does “f” make? FFFffffff. What are other words that start with the “f” sound? Frog, forget, and four.

Chalk Letters

Using sidewalk chalk, write an uppercase letter and have your child write the lowercase matching letter. Have them tell you the sound it makes. Then switch for the next letter. If they struggle to write the right letter, just show them how you write it and tell them it’s ok! Keep these games light and fun for your child; don’t show frustration or worry if they’re struggling. They’ll catch on as long as you keep practicing!

Play “I Spy”

by finding a letter somewhere in your home. “I spy the letter ‘d’. Look! You found it on the TV remote!”

Trace It

Use a plate and pour some rice or cornmeal for kids to trace a letter with their finger, then say its name and sound. Gently shake the rice on the plate to “erase”. Make sure to show them the letter first, so they can copy the shape.

Bathtime

Have your child trace their first and last name in shaving cream. Spray shaving cream in the bathtub and have them spell names in the foam with their finger. Have them write their name and then your name. Show them how their name is written on a piece of paper so they can copy the letter shapes.

Starfall provides free worksheets for letter sounds and word families.

Get your child ready for literacy in Kindergarten through simple everyday activities and play!

Kids can learn valuable skills through small, teachable moments during a normal day. This means no grueling work sessions with flash cards, buying expensive educational toys, or completing tedious worksheets!

Experts agree that children must have repeated exposure to “pre-literacy” activities to build their skills and enable them to become successful future readers. These skills set the stage for reading: (1) print awareness, (2) phonemic awareness, (3) vocabulary, (4) writing, and (5) oral language and comprehension.

Here are effective ways to sneak in literacy skills anywhere you go to give your child a head start for school:

Children must learn the names of the letters of the alphabet and the sounds of the letters. Once they understand the connection between letters and sounds, they will begin to see that letters put together form words. This is the very foundation of reading!

Sing the ABC Song

Sing the alphabet song together each morning when you’re getting your child dressed. Then have them sing it while pointing at each letter of the alphabet. Here is a free printable of the alphabet you can print out and use.

Start with Their Own Name

The most meaningful letters to your child are the ones they see in their own name. Write their name everywhere you can, such as on their drink cups and backpacks, or put the letters of their name on the wall of their bedroom. It’s important for them to see the letters of their name written often.

Keep Track of the Letters

Be aware of the letters and letter sounds your child knows. This can be as simple as writing down the alphabet on a small piece of paper and making a check next to each letter your child recognizes. Put a smiley face next to the letter if she can tell you the sound and a squiggly line if she knows how to write it! Or use one like this:LETTER RECOGNITION CHART

Point Out Letters

Point to individual letters you see on cereal boxes, signs at the store or while driving and ask them to tell you what they are. Then describe the letter shape: “That’s the letter ‘p’, it has a big line and a little curve.”

Exciting Letter Lessons at Starfall.com

This a free educational website for children that offers quick, engaging lessons.Choose “ABC’s” from the menu, then click on a letter for your child to experience a short two-minute lesson. Your child must then click the letter, word or arrow to move to the next part of the lesson. (Note: Kids can access all letter practice for this website from a home computer for free, however the app for phones and tablets only offers a few letters to practice. The CM library has Starfall.com on all computers, at all branch locations for kids to use.)

Learn the Alphabet on ABCYa.com, a free educational website for children.

(Note: Kids can access all games for this website from a home computer for free, however the app for phones and tablets costs a monthly fee. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg library has ABCYa.com on all computers, at all branch locations for kids to use.)

Magnetic Letters

With a set of magnetic letters, pull out three different letters, like “T”, “N” and “S” and place them on the refrigerator or a large baking sheet. Ask your child to point to the N. If they don’t know, take away one of the letters, to make it easier. Once they point to the N, have them use their finger to trace its shape. “Look! The N, you draw a big line down, then another big line down and then up.”

Palm Reading

While waiting in line, draw a letter using your fingertip on your child’s open hand. Can he tell you what it is? Write the letter again until he can “read” it. Have him then write a letter on your hand! **NOTE: if your child seems frustrated, disinterested or overwhelmed with this activity, stop and try again another day. Try an easier game next time and build their skills starting there. It’s more important that children feel successful than it is to push them when they are not developmentally ready.

Guess My Letter

Tell your child a letter sound and have them guess the name of the letter that matches. “The letter I’m thinking of makes the “ssssss” sound. What letter is it?”

Silly Sock Letters

Using a tube sock, place a magnetic letter inside the sock, making sure your child has not seen the letter. Then, have them put their hand in the sock to feel the letter with their fingers. Can they figure out the letter they’re touching without looking?

Alphabetic Knowledge

Starfall provides free worksheets for letter sounds and word families.

Letter Knowledge Worksheet

Use alphabet games to help kids master all 26 letters. This will make your child a stronger and faster reader.