How to Teach the Alphabet

Being able to name the letters in the alphabet is one of the critical predictors of reading success. Most people like to start with the alphabet song, but there are several different activities that you can use to teach your child the alphabet.

I always like to use visual aids and I think that any teaching, when it can be multi-sensory, is going to be much more effective. If you can have your child say the alphabet, each letter at a time while pointing to it, they’re getting that tactile feedback and also the auditory feedback from pronouncing the letter name, looking at the letter and touching it with their finger.

Other really helpful teaching tools I like to use are 3D letters that can be easily manipulated, an alphabet mat and simple flash cards.

For more advanced alphabet learners, there is a missing letter deck. Again, knowledge of letter names is one of the most important predictors of how quickly and easily your child will acquire early reading skills. And it’s important that letter names be taught explicitly and directly, starting in preschool.

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Watch more How to Teach Your Child to Read videos: http://www.howcast.com/videos/460479-How-to-Teach-the-Alphabet-Reading-Lessons

Hi. my name is Anne Glass. I’m a reading and learning specialist at a private school in New York City and I work with Kindergartners through 3rd graders on Reading, Word Study, and Writing Skills. In addition to being a reading specialist and learning specialist, I’m also a parent.