| Learning the alphabet is a pre-requisite for many | | | | 5. TV |
| of the literacy skills required to learn to read. | | | | Although TV should not be used excessively as a |
| Without a firm knowledge of letters, children could | | | | medium for helping children learn it can be a useful |
| have difficulty with all other aspects of early | | | | resource and present letter learning in a whole |
| literacy. | | | | new way. There are lots of educational children's |
| However the most important thing to remember | | | | programmes to choose from. |
| about teaching your child the alphabet is to keep it | | | | 6. Hunt the Letter Game |
| fun. Making it a regular activity will help to | | | | Pick a letter for your letter hunt. Then go around |
| reinforce the learning. | | | | the house, or the shop, or wherever you are, and |
| 1. Sing The Alphabet Song | | | | find the letter you are looking for in as many |
| Before teaching your child what letters look like, | | | | places as you can e.g. product packaging, road |
| first teach them the letter names with the | | | | signs, books etc. Or look for objects that start |
| alphabet song. Once your child knows the song | | | | with that letter sound. If you are at home you |
| use an alphabet book or write out the letters and | | | | can collect the things together. As kids get used |
| point to them as you sing. This will help your child | | | | to this try introducing a random object and see if |
| to understand that the letter names match the | | | | they can spot the object that doesn't begin with |
| printed letters. Next hold your child's hand and help | | | | that letter. |
| them to point their finger to the letters as you | | | | 7. Get crafty |
| sing. Then have the child point to the letters on | | | | Draw a letter which has an outline. Spread glue |
| their own as you sing together. | | | | inside the outlines and have your child stick |
| 2. Try finger painting | | | | sequins, buttons, glitter or dried pulses to make |
| Children may find it easier to paint with their | | | | the letter shape. |
| fingers rather than holding a pen or paintbrush. | | | | 8. Autumn fun |
| Kids love messy play and it can be educational | | | | Collect dried leaves in the garden or park and |
| too. Get them to paint the alphabet letters suing | | | | make huge letter shapes with them. Don't do this |
| their fingers. | | | | on a windy day though! |
| 3. Letters of their Name | | | | 9. Label things around the House |
| Often the first letters children learn are the letters | | | | Place labels on common objects around the house. |
| of their name. Start by just saying aloud the | | | | Whenever you come across the object e.g. |
| spelling of their name. Create a name plate for | | | | washing machine show the label and state the |
| their room or a name badge for their coat peg. | | | | beginning letter. |
| Children will soon start to recognize their name. | | | | 10. Use magnetic letters or foam letters in the |
| 4. Create a collage/scrap book | | | | bath tub |
| Choose a letter and write it on the top corner of | | | | Play with magnetic letters and stick them on the |
| a scrap book page. Then using old magazines help | | | | refrigerator, see if your child can be the fastest |
| your child to cut out any pictures of things that | | | | to find each letter of the alphabet. Foam letters |
| start with that letter. | | | | can also be used in the bath. |