Most children are introduced to the alphabet before preschool, but they begin to learn it in earnest once they’re three years old. At the Montessori preschool in Winnetka, teachers provide a multitude of opportunities for children to naturally learn the alphabet. Perhaps the most famous learning tool is sandpaper letters that children trace and sound out. You can follow the Montessori method and make sandpaper letters at home, or guide your preschooler through other activities. It’s important to introduce them to the alphabet early, so they have an early start on their academics.
1. Sound out words on the go As an adult, you might take the written word for granted. Shift your focus and you’ll notice that words are everywhere. The next time you and your preschooler walk downtown or visit the grocery store, sound out words together. For tricky or unfamiliar words, stand off to the side of pedestrian traffic so your child can take their time. After your child starts picking up the pace, you can have Speed Rounds. Point out words to sound out—but don’t stop. Keep walking to put a little pressure on your preschooler. Slow down if they won’t finish on time. Or if you know your child won’t get frustrated, keep walking for a challenge. Having fun is the best way to educate preschoolers, so don’t force yours to play if they become stressed. 2. Spell out words out loud and on paper Preschool is the ideal age to begin learning how to write. You can combine writing practice with learning the alphabet. Have your child decorate a wide-ruled notebook and claim it as their Alphabet Practice notebook. Then guide them through writing out letters and sounding them out. Repetition will solidify the shape of each letter in their memory, while saying them will do the same for the sound. When your child has a hang of each letter, or if they get bored of repeating one letter at a time, teach them how to write their name. It’s an easy place to begin learning the alphabet, and hooks their curiosity. Their name is personal, so they have extra interest in learning how to write it. After their name, have them write words that interest them (e.g. Action figures, stuffed animals, dollhouses, etc.). Finally, have them write out a list of their favorite things. They’ll likely spell words wrong, but the goal is to sound out each letter. 3. Write out names to learn uppercase letters Learning uppercase and lowercase can be tricky. Your child might be too young to understand the rules, but you can begin with the simplest ones: The first word of a sentence, and people’s names. Combine this activity with the one above, but use people of interest. Have your child spell out the names of their friends and family. Then have them write each person’s hobby, job, or skill next to their name. Tip: The best way to teach children is through role modeling Children imitate those around them. If you read to them often, they’ll take interest in reading. If you often write in front of them, they’ll take interest in writing. Show your child through actions what you want them to do and learn, and they’ll follow suit. Comments are closed.
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