What Is Letter Knowledge?
Letter knowledge–one of the first stepping stones on the path to reading–develops as a child is exposed to letters through play and through planned activities. A child who has achieved letter knowledge recognizes all the letters of the alphabet, in both capital letter and lowercase form, and knows the names and sounds of each.
Five Signs Your Child has Letter Knowledge
10 Fun Ways to Develop Letter Knowledge
The best way to develop letter knowledge is through a variety of fun, hands-on alphabet experiences. Here are ten activities to enjoy with your child.
Explore Alphabet Books
For a fun and cozy way to increase letter knowledge, grab some picture books and a blanket and enjoy reading together! Check out our BIG list of Alphabet Picture Books!
Feel the Alphabet
Let your child create letters with playdough, build them with building blocks, and feel them with tactile letter cards. If you like to sew, try our do-it-yourself fabric alphabet.
Explore the Alphabet with Refrigerator Magnets
Interacting with letters helps children get ready for reading and spelling. Check out 8 Ways to Use Refrigerator Magnets for hands-on activities that can be used again and again to help your child learn his letters.
Cut and Paste the Alphabet
Children should learn and master uppercase letters first and then lowercase letters. Our ABC Crafts for Uppercase and Lowercase Letters are the perfect way to learn them!
Sing the Alphabet Song
Sing the alphabet song to your kids when they are very young. When they get a bit older, they will naturally start singing along.
Match Different Fonts and Styles
Children need to know that letters in text can look different in different fonts, and that printed letters look different from handwritten letters. The activities in this blog post will help!
Associate Letter Names with the Sounds They Make
Help your child associate letter names with the sounds the letters make. For example, point out the word pizza on the pizza box and say, “We’re having pizza tonight. Pizza starts with P. P says /p/ as in pizza.”
Wear the Alphabet
ABC Bracelets are the perfect letter-of-the-week craft activity. Your child will love being able to admire his letter just by glancing at his wrist.
Feed the Puppy Some Letters
If your little one loves puppies, this is sure to be a hit. Our Feed the Puppy Alphabet Game helps kids practice the alphabet in a fun way.
Inch Through the Alphabet
Practice recognizing letters and placing them in a-b-c order as you inch your way through the alphabet with this colorful caterpillar.
Letter Knowledge Is One of the Big Five Skills
Letter knowledge is one of the five critical skills for reading readiness that we call the Big Five Skills. The other four skills are:
If you’re ready to tackle the rest of the Big Five Skills, be sure to check out the All About Reading Pre-reading program. Your student will enjoy special games, crafts, and story time read-alouds, and you will love the way your student effortlessly learns essential pre-reading skills.
Do you have any questions about letter knowledge? Post in the comments below!
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