Learning the letters of the alphabet is an important stepping stone for reading success. Children should know the names of the letters out of sequence and recognize them rapidly. A good place to start is with the letters in your child's name. It is helpful for children to work with only one or two unknown letters mixed in with a group of known letters. As much as possible, try to work on learning letter names within the context of a book. This helps children see how the alphabet fits into the larger picture of print and reading.
When helping your child learn a letter he/she does not yet know, point one out in the book and see how many more he/she can find.
When reading together, play "I Spy". Tell your child the name of a letter you spy. See if your child can spy it also.
Check out some alphabet books from the school or public library to read. (See the book list below.)
Use magnetic letters on the refrigerator. As you cook dinner, call out letters for your child to find.
Let your child cut alphabet letters out of the newspaper or magazines and glue them to paper. Have him/her tell you the names of the letters as they are glued down.
Make an alphabet book. As your child learns letters, add them to the book in correct sequence, leaving blanks for letters not yet learned. This will help your child see their own progress.
Make two sets of alphabet cards and play "Go Fish!"
Make hopscotch boxes with chalk. Write a familiar letter in most of the boxes and an unfamiliar letter in the others.
Print out the alphabet song. Point to the words as you sing.
Alphabet Books
A B C, by Dr. Seuss
Alphabet City, by Stephen Johnson
The Alphabet Tree, by Leo Lionni
Bugs and Beasties ABC, by Cheryl Nathan
The Butterfly Alphabet, by Kjell B. Sandved
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin, Jr.
Eating the Alphabet, by Lois Ehlert
The Ocean Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallotta
Old Black Fly, by Jim Aylesworth
Swim Through the Sea, by Kristin Joy Pratt
The Underwater Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallotta