Showing children letters based on subjects they like follows the child’s interest. They are more likely to remember the letter that way than if you drill them. Choose a book that features an animal or topic that starts with the same letter as your child’s name. Cut that letter out of some construction paper and glue it to a popsicle stick. Tell your child that as you read the story, he or she should hold the popsicle stick up in the air every time there is a word that starts with that letter. You could even make a game out of it by having your child count how many times he or she does it!

 –Tip by Julie D., Elementary School Liaison

Before children learn actual letters, they are aware of shapes. By using the specific names for shapes, you not only help your child learn new words, you help them understand differences between similar things. This sets the stage for them seeing differences in the way letters look. Try one of the Library’s many wonderful books about shapes, like this one: Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald.

–Tip by Brad J., Youth Technology Librarian

The early literacy skill called letter knowledge means learning about the letters of the alphabet.  But even before children learn actual letters, they can begin to notice differences in things, like shape, size, and color.  You can practice letter knowledge with your little one by pointing out differences in his or her toys throughout the day, looking for shapes, letters, colors, etc.  For example, find all the round objects in the tub toys during your child’s bath, or find the first letter of your child’s name in letter blocks. 

–Tip by Julie D., Elementary School Liaison

For most children, drilling the letter names and sounds is not fun.  Songs are a fun way to teach the alphabet.  Try the song, “Marching Around the Alphabet,” which is on the Hap Palmer CD called One Little Sound.  Write the letters of the alphabet on slips of paper and lay them out in a circle on the floor.  March around them to the song and when you hear the whistle, have your child pick up a letter and tell you its name and what sound it makes.  You can help your child if he or she is just beginning to learn letters and their sounds. 

–Tip by Barb M., Youth Programming and Outreach Assistant

You can begin working on the literacy skill of letter knowledge, learning about the letters of the alphabet, when your child is just a baby.  Try tracing a round shape on a snowy surface.  Point out and talk about all kinds of things that are round.  Noticing different shapes will help your child later recognize the different shapes that letters can have.  The book Snowballs by Lois Ehlert has many round things for baby to look at.

–Tip by Jan P., Preschool/Childcare Liaison