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5 Ways to Teach the Alphabet

by Angela Thayer 240 Comments

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. See my disclosure for details.

Teaching the alphabet is foundational for reading and writing. Around the age of 2, children begin showing interest in learning alphabet letters. While some kids learn letters very quickly, others need more repetition and time to learn letters. Today I’m going to share with you some of my favorite ways to teach the alphabet to little ones.

5 Ways to Teach the Alphabet

Here’s what a preschooler should know before kindergarten:

  • Recite/sing the alphabet
  • Identify uppercase letters
  • Identify lowercase letters
  • Match uppercase letters to lowercase letters
  • Identify the sounds each letter makes
  • Traces letters
  • Write some alphabet letters

Here are my five favorite ways to teach the alphabet to children.

1. Read Alphabet Books

Read all sorts of alphabet books to your children, even starting as babies. The repetition will really help your child learn the alphabet at a young age. When my oldest was born, I was surprised at how many alphabet books we had been given as gifts. We loved reading all of them because they were different from each other. I found that around 18 months both my kids really started enjoyed reading alphabet books. Here are a few of our alphabet books:

Alphabet Books

Here are some of our favorite alphabet books.

The Three Bears ABCThe Three Bears ABCThe Three Bears ABCChicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book)Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book)Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book)Eating the AlphabetEating the AlphabetEating the AlphabetThe Farm Alphabet BookThe Farm Alphabet BookThe Farm Alphabet BookG is for GoatG is for GoatG is for GoatHarold's ABC (Purple Crayon Book)Harold’s ABC (Purple Crayon Book)Harold's ABC (Purple Crayon Book)I Stink! (Kate and Jim Mcmullan)I Stink! (Kate and Jim Mcmullan)I Stink! (Kate and Jim Mcmullan)Bad KittyBad KittyBad KittyThe Letters Are Lost!The Letters Are Lost!The Letters Are Lost!AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went FirstAlphaOops!: The Day Z Went FirstAlphaOops!: The Day Z Went FirstZ Is for Moose (Booklist Editor's Choice. Books for Youth (Awards))Z Is for Moose (Booklist Editor’s Choice. Books for Youth (Awards))Z Is for Moose (Booklist Editor's Choice. Books for Youth (Awards))Q Is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing GameQ Is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing GameQ Is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing GameABC T-RexABC T-RexABC T-RexWork: An Occupational ABCWork: An Occupational ABCWork: An Occupational ABC

2. Sandpaper Letters

Using sandpaper letters is a great way to introduce letters to children. My favorite ones are Didax Sandpaper Tracing Letters or School Supply Tactile Letters Kit. This is a perfect pre-writing activity because children use their finger to trace the sandpaper letters. I love that the cards tell the child where to start and which direction to go.

Sandpaper Letters

Sandpaper letters are part of the Montessori approach to learning how to read. These letters provide a tactile and visual way to help children learn the alphabet. In the Montessori method, you teach letters to a child in the 3-period lesson.

1st period is introducing the letter (“this is” period). Show your child the letters. Have them trace the sandpaper letters. The best way to teach children alphabet letters is by telling them their phonetic sound.  So each time they trace the letter, say the phonetic sound.

2nd period is association (“show me” stage).  Ask your child to follow simple directions with the letters. For example, please pick up the /m/ and set it by the window. Continue to do this with each letter several times to reinforce this. If it is too difficult, return to the first period.

3rd period is recall (“what is this?” period). Only go to this period when they’ve mastered the other two periods.  Put a letter in front of the child and say “Can you trace this and tell me what it is?” Continue with the other letters in the same way.

When you use these sandpaper letters, you are teaching them 3 things: the shape of letters, the feel of its shape and how its written, and how you pronounce its sound.

3. Alphabet Puzzles

I think teaching letters with alphabet puzzles are an amazing tool for teaching the alphabet. This is my favorite puzzle, from Melissa and Doug. It’s a beautiful wooden puzzle with neat pictures. This is a great way to practice vocabulary and verbal skills, too.

alphabet puzzle

4. Sensory Activities

While some kids learn letters very quickly, others need more repetition and time to learn letters. I’ve always said that children learn best when they have many multisensory experiences with letters.

I love to incorporate sensory play into learning alphabet letters. When children have meaningful activities with repeated exposure, they start to pick up on letter names. One way is this alphabet ice excavation activity.

You could also make a colorful sensory bin!

Or practice writing letters in the sand, like this sensory writing tray.

5. Alphabet Printables

I have quite a few alphabet printables on my blog, but here is a set that is easy and fun for preschoolers. You will need Do a Dot Markers or dot stickers to fill in the circles.

alphabet do a dot markers

I love pulling printables out for a quick and easy activity. I’m always advocating for hands-on learning, but sometimes it’s nice to do a few paper activities. Using Do a Dot markers or dot stickers is great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

alphabet do a dot printables

If you’d like to download this printable, just click the button below.

Related Posts

  • 7 Tools for Teaching the Alphabet7 Tools for Teaching the Alphabet
  • Lowercase Alphabet Formation RhymesLowercase Alphabet Formation Rhymes
  • Uppercase Alphabet Formation RhymesUppercase Alphabet Formation Rhymes
  • Alphabet Mystery Letter Hunt ActivityAlphabet Mystery Letter Hunt Activity
  • 8 Things to Teach After the Alphabet8 Things to Teach After the Alphabet
  • Alphabet Game with Water BalloonsAlphabet Game with Water Balloons

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Filed Under: Alphabet, Preschool Tagged With: alphabet

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  1. P.Samal says

    March 30, 2022 at 2:49 am

    Very good methods

    Reply
  2. Alexandra says

    January 25, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    The free dot printables don’t work for me. Would you be able to update the link?

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      January 29, 2022 at 11:46 am

      Yes! I’m sorry about the broken link. It is fixed now!

      Reply
  3. Thelma Rose says

    January 2, 2022 at 6:29 am

    Thank you for helping! These acivites look great!

    Reply
  4. Katherine E Patterson says

    December 13, 2021 at 10:06 am

    I really like the alphabet puzzle! I could work on matching and animal sounds, with my toddlers during speech-language sessions.

    Reply
  5. Cindy de Jongh says

    December 12, 2021 at 11:13 pm

    I really like the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  6. Dena Zoske says

    December 12, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    Sandpaper Letters

    Reply
  7. B. Terry says

    December 12, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    I would like to win Alphabet Puzzle.

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    December 12, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    I love your description of the 3-period method of teaching letters. I haven’t seen this before, but seeing it written out that way makes perfect sense! Thank you for sharing! I would love to win an alphabet book or the sandpaper letters. I am new to teaching preschool and am still trying to build my teacher toolbox.

    Reply
  9. Shelley Thompson says

    December 12, 2021 at 7:06 pm

    I would love the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  10. ... says

    December 12, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Would love to win

    Reply
  11. Mariah says

    December 12, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    I would love to win sand paper letters!

    Reply
  12. Dawn says

    December 12, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    I love alphabet books!

    Reply
  13. Tena Roher says

    December 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm

    The sand paper letters look amazing, I can’t wait to try them out!

    Reply
  14. Linda says

    December 12, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    Would love sand paper letters!

    Reply
  15. Debbie Pickerd says

    December 12, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    I love the sandpaper letter! What a great idea!

    Reply
  16. Cristina Cummings says

    December 12, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    I would love to win the sandpaper letters. I am a school-based occupational therapist and use multisensory approaches to teacher letter recognition, memory, and formation all the time. This would be a great addition to my toolkit.

    Reply
  17. Leanne says

    December 12, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    I would choose the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  18. Tiffany Martinez says

    December 12, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    The sandpaper letters looks so fun! I’d love to win a set!! 🙂

    Reply
  19. Christina Reynolds says

    December 12, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    I can never have too many magnetic letters! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Shelly M. says

    December 12, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    I would like to win the sandpaper letters, please. Thank you so much for doing these Christmas giveaways. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

    Reply
  21. Holly says

    December 12, 2021 at 11:41 am

    The sand paper letters would be fun to use in my class

    Reply
  22. karyn wollmann says

    December 12, 2021 at 11:08 am

    my kids love to puzzle and read book..its hard to pick of the two. Though i would like the Alphaoopsy book

    Reply
  23. Dawn Jackson says

    December 12, 2021 at 10:14 am

    I would like the sand paper letters

    Reply
  24. rachel says

    December 12, 2021 at 10:10 am

    I’ve not heard of sandpaper letters before. It would be a fun new way to learn your letters.

    Reply
  25. Deb Beck says

    December 12, 2021 at 9:21 am

    I would like the “Eating the Alphabet” book!

    Reply
  26. Sarah says

    December 12, 2021 at 9:19 am

    I have never heard of sandpaper letters. That looks really interesting!

    Reply
  27. Becky says

    December 12, 2021 at 8:34 am

    I would love the alphabet books for our library.
    Thank you

    Reply
  28. Stephanie says

    December 12, 2021 at 8:27 am

    Would love the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  29. Judy says

    December 12, 2021 at 8:10 am

    I would love the sand paper letters and or dot markers. Thanks

    Reply
  30. Annie Reeder says

    December 12, 2021 at 7:46 am

    I loved the magnetic letters!

    Reply
  31. Jayne says

    December 12, 2021 at 6:24 am

    I love the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  32. Corene says

    December 12, 2021 at 2:29 am

    Thank you for the post. I’m currently doing alphabet with my little one.

    Reply
  33. Teresa says

    December 12, 2021 at 1:54 am

    I love using dot markers for letter work.

    Reply
  34. Lisa says

    December 12, 2021 at 1:02 am

    My preschoolers are going to love the dot letters

    Reply
  35. Emily says

    December 12, 2021 at 12:13 am

    My 3 year old loves to sing the alphabet song lately! We would love to win a set of sandpaper letters so she can work more on those pre-writing skills!

    Reply
  36. Jenna says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    The sandpaper letters are genius!

    Reply
  37. Cassie says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    I have always wanted to try the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  38. Teresa Lass says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    I’d love to win the alphabet book!

    Reply
    • Chelsie says

      December 11, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      I love the sensory ideas!

      Reply
  39. Becky Dragt says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    I would love the magnetic letters and the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  40. Jessica says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    Definitely some good ideas here. I need to implement more sensory activities. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  41. Megan H says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:01 pm

    I love all of your sensory letter activity ideas! It’s below freezing in Minnesota so I can put a bowl of water on my deck at night and we’ll be ready to excavate letters in the morning! I might try using a muffin tin and doing individual letters in each tin. Love the sandpaper letters and sand writing, too!

    Reply
  42. michelle says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:58 pm

    We love the do-a-dot alphabet printables. Thanks for sharing them. I have been on the hunt for sandpaper letters and will check out your suggestions.

    Reply
  43. cristine packard says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:22 pm

    If I win I would love the sand paper ABC’S

    Reply
  44. Lisa says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    I love do-a-dot and my kids do too. Thanks for the free printables. You can use other things besides blotters with those too – pompoms is an easy one.

    Reply
  45. Laura Zachar says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    My special education preschoolers would love the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  46. Michelle VanDorn says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    I’d love to win the Sand Letters. My kids would enjoy them and it would help them learn their letters better

    Reply
  47. Sharon Bardy says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    Thank you for all these great ideas and freebies! Perhaps I will be a winner! At any rate, I win with all that you have shared!

    Reply
  48. Pamela says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    I would love to win the book “Z is for Moose”.

    Reply
  49. Lauren says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:07 pm

    Would love to win this for my kids or my classroom!

    Reply
  50. Sherry says

    December 11, 2021 at 6:59 pm

    Love these!

    Reply
  51. Sadie M Gibson says

    December 11, 2021 at 6:49 pm

    I really enjoy your resources and ideas. I would like the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  52. Dylan L says

    December 11, 2021 at 6:44 pm

    I’d love a set of the sandpaper letters.
    Thanks for all the great ideas!

    Reply
  53. Laura locklear says

    December 11, 2021 at 6:34 pm

    I’d love the alphabet puzzle mine is so old and missing a piece or 2.

    Reply
  54. Audra says

    December 11, 2021 at 6:25 pm

    The sandpaper letters would be very helpful for my daughter.

    Reply
  55. Madeleine says

    December 11, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    I think the tactile feel of the sandpaper letters would be a fun way to learn hoe to make the letters

    Reply
  56. Flo McDOnough says

    December 11, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    My former assistant had the sandpaper letters, and they were fabulous. Definitely would want to use them again!

    Reply
  57. Dianne says

    December 11, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    I’d love the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  58. Adair says

    December 11, 2021 at 5:33 pm

    I love your alphabet book collection! There are some lesser known ones in there!

    Reply
  59. Sandy says

    December 11, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    Thanks for supporting followers with great ideas for teaching the alphabet.
    I LOVE Puzzles!

    Reply
  60. Daisy C says

    December 11, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    The sand paper letters are such a great idea and I love how you included a “how to use”. Thanks for such great ideas💛

    Reply
  61. Tali says

    December 11, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    I love the magnetic Alphabet and the sandpaper letters
    Thank you

    Reply
  62. Lisa Hammond says

    December 11, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    I love the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  63. Lori says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    You have a lot of great ideas! I love magnetic letters! Somehow they never get old.

    Reply
  64. Beth says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    The sandpaper letters are a great idea!

    Reply
  65. Danielle says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    I would like to try the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  66. Marion Hedin says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Oh I love the Sandpaper Leters, what a great and wonderful sensory learning activity.

    Reply
  67. Stephanie says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    I would choose an alphabet book

    Reply
  68. Sarah says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    The sandpaper letters are new to me! They look like fun!

    Reply
  69. Leslie Guhl says

    December 11, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    The Melissa and Doug puzzles are very sturdy.

    Reply
  70. Bethany says

    December 11, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    Love these ideas!! I’m starting to do these things with my 2 year old!

    Reply
  71. Rachel B says

    December 11, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Love all of these ideas! I have never used sandpaper letters and it looks so neat!

    Reply
  72. Aleshia Cassar says

    December 11, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    This would be a great prize to win to help assist my daughter in developing her language skills. Thanks for the opportunity

    Reply
  73. miss f says

    December 11, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    G is for Goat would be great, because Patricia Polacco writes amazing books. I didn’t know she had an alphabet book until I read your post.

    Reply
  74. Lisa Menkhaus says

    December 11, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    You can never have too many alphabet books!

    Reply
  75. Beth Steese says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win any of your amazing giveaways. I love them all.

    Reply
  76. Angie T says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    We would love an alphabet book! Children can never have too many books. 🙂

    Reply
  77. Nithya says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    Love the magnetic letters!

    Reply
  78. Estera says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    I would really like to win a magnetic alphabet for my kid. It would be a great gift for Christmas.

    Reply
  79. Heather says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:37 pm

    The sandpaper letters look so cool! My 2yo would love them.

    Reply
  80. Melody Weathington says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    I love using sandpaper letters! But I haven’t seen this puzzle before.

    Reply
  81. Kelsey Anderson says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:15 pm

    I love love love winning prizes! I also love how you compliment the gifts with ideas on how to use them!

    Reply
  82. Vanessa says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Sand Paper Letters

    Reply
  83. Nora B says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    I would love the sandpaper letter cards! I am a literacy interventionist and teach 3-6 year olds their letter sounds, so they would be a fun way to spice my activities up!

    Reply
  84. Nazlee Ayube says

    December 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    A combination 0f art, sensory would make a very nice addition to my toddlers room. they love art especially. we always run out of Do a Dot. the love playing with the magnets as well as we are learning letters and numbers.

    Reply
  85. Lauren F says

    December 11, 2021 at 12:58 pm

    Magnetic alphabet letters.

    Reply
  86. Jaime Wasserman says

    December 11, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    Puzzle!

    Reply
  87. Kristen Zill says

    December 11, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    It is hard to choose, but I would pick the puzzle.

    Reply
  88. Mara says

    December 11, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    These are wonderful ideas. I am going to see about getting some of those books for my Kinder class.

    Reply
  89. Ali says

    December 11, 2021 at 12:09 pm

    I would probably pick the alphabet book but it’s a tough choice!

    Reply
  90. Carol says

    December 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    The alphabet puzzle would be great!

    Reply
  91. Mitra Yeager says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:56 am

    You have such great ideas!

    Reply
  92. atiqa says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:39 am

    alphabet puzzel…

    Reply
  93. Emily says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:38 am

    The sand paper letters look neat!

    Reply
  94. Tara S. says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:38 am

    I would love to try the sandpaper letters with my 2 year old.

    Reply
  95. Eugina says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:33 am

    Those sandpaper letters look interesting!

    Reply
  96. Stacey Dukes says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:28 am

    I’ve had my eye on sandpaper letters for a while. I also love the alphabet puzzle. We have a different one but the one in this post is adorable and it may be time to change it up!

    Reply
  97. Myrna says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:27 am

    I love tactile letters. My students use them all the time.

    Reply
  98. Donita Tovar says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:20 am

    I really love the idea of the bingo daubers! That is such a neat activity!

    Reply
  99. Becky Martin says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:16 am

    I love using multi sensory methods to teach the alphabet! I like your idea of freezing letters in ice-so fun!

    Reply
  100. Katie Morris says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:14 am

    Such great alphabet resources. I wish more students had a strong preschool experience and entered kindergarten knowing the letters and sounds.

    Reply
  101. Jessica says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:09 am

    My kids love sensory alphabet play. Sadly I don’t always love the clean up. Hahaha

    Reply
  102. Amy says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:04 am

    Dot markers have become a new favorite in our house! This printable is perfect for my 2 yo to start with

    Reply
  103. Suzanne Grisham says

    December 11, 2021 at 11:04 am

    I love all the ideas! I would love to have the colorful alphabet magnets for my kindergarteners!

    Reply
  104. Samantha says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:49 am

    My students would love the sandpaper letters and they would really benefit from them, too!

    Reply
  105. Lacey F says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:48 am

    Sandpaper letters or an alphabet book would be my choice. Thank you!

    Reply
  106. Andrea Ruano says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:45 am

    All of these prizes would be just great! If I had to choose it wold probably be the alphabet puzzles. My son just turned 3 and definitely learns better hands on and I’ve noticed he really loves puzzles!

    Reply
  107. Tricia L says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:43 am

    What a wonderful giveaway! My 3 yo would love these lessons!

    Reply
  108. Dot says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:33 am

    Sandpaper letters would be awesome for my 3 and 4 year olds.

    Reply
  109. Lacy says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:28 am

    I would love some sandpaper letters for our Montessori home!

    Reply
  110. Lisa Marie says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Thank you for your generosity. If my name were picked, I’d be happy with any of the prizes, however, I think my first choice would be the sandpaper letter. I’ve never seen a set of them. I always figured people made them! Cheers!!

    Reply
  111. Pamela Nunnelley says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:23 am

    I love the sensory play letter match activities. My children also love them. I have not seen the sandpaper letters and would love to try those.

    Reply
  112. Kim Bertram says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:19 am

    I would love to receive any of the prizes, but I love the sandpaper letters. I have never seen them. I have made some, but that is a lot of work!! 😉

    Reply
  113. Jennifer says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:16 am

    I would love the magnetic letters to help my kindies for a fun way to practice letter recognition and spelling sight words!

    Reply
  114. Vicki says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:16 am

    My 2.5 yr old has some delays so I really appreciate the different ideas to introduce letters to her. She is very sensory oriented; I think the sandpaper letters would really be something she enjoys!

    Reply
  115. Malory says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:13 am

    I’d pick the magnetic letters.

    Reply
  116. Courtney says

    December 11, 2021 at 10:08 am

    I would love the sandpaper letters to use as another tier of learning their letters.

    Reply
  117. Cayla says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:58 am

    This would be a great addition to our class

    Reply
  118. Jen says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:58 am

    Oh my goodness! So many great options! I’d choose the magnetic alphabet. My daughter is in Montessori and using those at school learning to spell and read so I’d like to support her with these at home with these as well as start teaching her little brother. Thanks so much for all that you do for us! Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  119. Emmy Mecham says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:56 am

    The sandpaper letters look amazing and totally remind me of my childhood 🙂

    Reply
  120. Whitney says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:52 am

    My son is in a Montessori primary class and has just started learning with sandpaper letter. He gets so excited with every new group he learns.

    Reply
  121. Sarah says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:46 am

    Thank you for your focus on early learning. I would love the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  122. Antonette says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:41 am

    Thanks for this blog it is my go to for everything!

    Reply
  123. Denise says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:40 am

    Another tough choice! I think I would pick the magnetic letters. Right now I scrounge from my own kids’ magnetic letters to use for my preschool classroom (or I make my own – time consuming!). I love that they are boxed, organized & come in many colors!

    Reply
  124. Ashley Jacobs says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:38 am

    I would love to win a book!

    Reply
  125. Rochelle says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:36 am

    Love the sandpaper letters! Thanks for sharing so many great activities.

    Reply
  126. Debbie eccles says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:34 am

    I love the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  127. Alicia Haines says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:30 am

    Sandpaper letters is such a good idea! We’ve done the salt tray and my little really liked that.

    Reply
  128. Mary says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:30 am

    These are great ideas! I’ve never tried sandpaper letter. Thanks for the information!

    Reply
  129. Bethany says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:28 am

    These all are great. If I win I’d want the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  130. Jessie says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:26 am

    I would love the magnet letters! How fun

    Reply
  131. Caroline G says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:21 am

    Great ideas! I would go for the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  132. Laura says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:21 am

    Thank you for all the suggestions and ideas. I would be thrilled and grateful to win any prize. However, the books would be a particularly welcome addition to my classroom library.

    Reply
  133. Katherine says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:16 am

    Awesome post! As a prek teacher, all of these would be helpful. I would most pick the abc books. 🙂

    Reply
  134. Calisa DeOliveira says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:12 am

    Love all these ideas! I never thought about the sandpaper letters, those sound cool!

    Reply
  135. Renee Thornton says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:12 am

    I love all of these ideas. My students really love puzzles and it is a great way for them to learn by manipulating the letters.

    Reply
  136. Kathleen says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:07 am

    I used sandpaper letters when I taught PK many years ago. I would love to use them again with my PK grandson. He has some medical issues and this would be perfect for him!

    Reply
  137. Rhonda Tucker says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:07 am

    These are such great ideas! We would love to have more ways to learn the alphabet! The sandpaper letters are awesome! And we love books! Thanks so much for providing this opportunity to win such awesome prizes! You are the best!

    Reply
  138. Kathy Lucas says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:07 am

    Thank you for the great ideas! I love this wooden alphabet puzzle.

    Reply
  139. Kathy Lucas says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:06 am

    Thank you for your great ideas!

    Reply
  140. michelle says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:00 am

    i always am trying to win something ! (O:

    Reply
  141. allyson says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:00 am

    they sandpaper cards look so versatile and i also like the idea of the alphabet books

    Reply
  142. Chris says

    December 11, 2021 at 9:00 am

    those sandpaper letters look awesome

    Reply
  143. Mickey Banks says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:50 am

    I love all these ideas and your books match to some of my favorite books 🙂.

    Reply
  144. Shanna says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:50 am

    I used some of those books as a kid myself! I would love the Harold book for my own kids!

    Reply
  145. Lrschwtz says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:44 am

    My son is headed into kindergarten next year. He is super bright but not interested in his letters. I think he’d love the sandpaper letters.

    Reply
  146. Athena says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:37 am

    Sandpaper Alphabet Cards would be fantastic to have in our 3 year old classroom. I have seen a huge decline in fine motor development as more and more 2-5 year olds play on iPads or tablets. As an early childhood teacher and curriculum developer I love that you promote fine motor techniques in your curriculum. I find myself always linking your blogs to newsletters or telling my parents to follow you. Thank you for being a strong and powerful early childhood advocate.

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      December 11, 2021 at 11:59 am

      Yes!! It’s sad, but I do think it’s true. And thank you for your kind words!

      Reply
  147. rachel gill says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:36 am

    the books are always helpful as well as the sandpaper letters look awesome

    Reply
  148. Sarah Myers says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:35 am

    Love all of these ideas! I work with K-5, so I could definitely benefit from this with my younger kiddos!! 🙂

    Reply
  149. Kathy K says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:32 am

    The alphabet puzzle would be a great addition to my classroom.

    Reply
  150. Emma says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:29 am

    Such great ideas!

    Reply
  151. Beth says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:24 am

    I love your selection of books! My son – who is 22 now – just loved Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

    Reply
  152. Sherry says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:19 am

    On can NEVER have too many books in her classroom, and some of these are fabulous!!! 🤩🤩

    Reply
  153. Krista Guyer says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:15 am

    I would love the sandpaper letters

    Reply
  154. Angela says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:13 am

    My preschoolers enjoy the AlphaOops! book! They think this is a silly book and love locating the letters.

    Reply
  155. Nicole Watson says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:11 am

    The sandpaper alphabet would be so helpful in my Kindergarten classroom and with my 3 year old.

    Reply
  156. Sierra says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:10 am

    I would love to win magnetic alphabet letters!

    Reply
  157. Sheryl says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:09 am

    I would like to win Eating the Alphabet. This would also help the child to learn names of fruits and vegetables.

    Reply
  158. Cathy McDonald says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:03 am

    With three Littles under three years, I would LOVE the sandpaper letters! Thank you for your consideration!

    Reply
  159. Phyllis Namorato Daley says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:03 am

    would love the magnetic letters

    Reply
  160. Lauren B says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:59 am

    Thanks for sharing these!!!

    Reply
  161. Susan Benson says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:59 am

    I love your creative approach to learning the alphabet!

    Reply
  162. Shanna says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:58 am

    This is giving me some great ideas to get my preschooler ready for kindergarten!

    Reply
  163. Melissa Archer says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:56 am

    Thank you so much for doing these giveaways. It gives the opportunity to see what things I can use in my room. Also, I hope to win them to be able to use them in my room.

    Reply
  164. Danielle Garner says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:55 am

    I would love to win the magnetic letters

    Reply
  165. Atalie B says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:51 am

    I love the sandpaper letters! I’d love to use those.

    Reply
  166. Amanda says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:48 am

    So much good info! Thanks!

    Reply
  167. Krista B says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:46 am

    sandpaper letters !

    Reply
  168. Katherine Morales says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:41 am

    Super great ideas. Definitely a lot to work on with the kiddies!

    Reply
  169. Diana says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:40 am

    I love using puzzles with my little ones, so a puzzle would be great.

    Reply
  170. Cheyenne Mundy says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:40 am

    I love the Do-A-Dot Printables for teaching the alphabet, I’m definitely going to incorporate these into my classroom! And I would love to win the magnetic alphabet letters!

    Reply
  171. Lisa Schwartz says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:39 am

    I would love the sandpaper letters

    Reply
  172. Heidi says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:33 am

    I would love to have those sandpaper letters! Or the “I Stink” book.

    Reply
  173. Eva Griffin says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:28 am

    I would love to win the magnetic letters! Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    Reply
  174. Kadie says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:26 am

    I am very intrigued by the sandpaper letters. I think my son would benefit from this approach. Thanks!

    Reply
  175. Stacey Schottey says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:23 am

    Thank you for all you do to empower teachers. Giving ideas an encouragement for skills to grow strong writers and readers. ❤️

    Reply
  176. Stacey says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:21 am

    Adore all of the great sensory ideas!

    Reply
    • Villanueva Julia says

      December 11, 2021 at 7:28 am

      Thank you for the freebies!

      Reply
  177. Damaris says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:21 am

    I would like to win the sandpaper letters

    Reply
  178. Helena says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:20 am

    Alphabet puzzle please!

    Reply
  179. Shannon Goodrich says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:20 am

    The sandpaper letters sound fun!

    Reply
  180. Melissa Thomas says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:18 am

    I would like to win the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  181. Aimee says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:17 am

    I think my kiddos would love the bad kitty book.

    Reply
  182. shirleen erhart says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:15 am

    Thanks for the free printables. My preschool class will love doing them!

    Reply
  183. Katelyn Medeiros says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:15 am

    Love the sensory bins search version!

    Reply
  184. Katherine says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:13 am

    I would love to win the sandpaper letters for my 4 year old!

    Reply
  185. Jessica Stoner says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:12 am

    I love all of these for my students AND my 2 little guys at home!!

    Reply
  186. Melissa says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:11 am

    I would use the letters to help teach the alphabet, sounds, and matching to an autistic student.

    Reply
  187. Hilary says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:09 am

    I love the letter give away but I think my class would like the pop it give away more

    Reply
  188. Serena says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:09 am

    I would like to win the magnetic letters.

    Reply
  189. Jolene Troia says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:07 am

    Would love to win the sandpaper letters!

    Reply
  190. Gwen Robertson says

    December 11, 2021 at 7:04 am

    I love the sand paper letters.

    Reply
  191. Alifyah says

    July 5, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    I loved the sandpaper idea the most! It is such a great sensory activity too!

    Reply
  192. Karama says

    March 14, 2020 at 3:21 am

    Thanks for your helpful ideas.
    Any tips for teaching English alphabet as a foreign language?
    Best wishes…

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      March 18, 2020 at 4:26 pm

      I wish I had ideas, but I don’t have any resources right now.

      Reply
  193. Jo Marie says

    December 14, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    Thank you for your posts! I’m currently working on letter recognition with my preschooler. These ideas have been helpful.

    Reply
  194. Bm says

    December 14, 2019 at 5:22 pm

    Thanks for the printable, but I can’t download it. Clicking on the button does not appear the pdf.

    Reply
  195. Robin Rasmussen says

    December 14, 2019 at 9:14 am

    I love using these markers! For math centers Letter practice, working on fine motor skills and art! Thanks for the printable!!

    Reply
  196. Johna says

    July 13, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    I was concerned that my daughter is already 2 yr and 1 mo but she is not yet learning the alphabet and doesn’t seem to be interested with it while other kids are already learning the alphabet before turning 2 but I was happy that you recommend to start teaching kids at two as Im not yet too late. I dont have any teaching background so I am not sure what would interest my child in studying.

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      July 15, 2018 at 7:56 pm

      I’m glad to hear that! She is doing just fine 🙂

      Reply
  197. Denise Arreola says

    January 31, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    How many letters do you introduce at a time so they could remember them and for how many days to you go over those letters before starting new ones?

    Reply
  198. jENNIFER FRANKLIN says

    December 29, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    Hi! I teach 3 1/2 year olds. I have made sandpaper letters and was very interested in your 3-period lesson description, especially Step 2. Wonderful.

    I do want to mention that one year I taught just the letter sound as I showed the letter. Four months later that year I decided to add the letter name. Boy, that was disheartening! The kids had a very hard time including the letter name after learning to say just the letter sound when they saw the letter. It was a rather bad experience. They eventually learned the letter names, too, but it was way harder for them than if I had just gone ahead and taught both sound and name together at the same time.

    Now I teach the letter sound AND the letter name simultaneously. I say “/a/ and the name is ayyy”, /b/ and the name is beeee, etc. when I show the letter or when I pull out a sandpaper letter and the child traces the letter. The child still automatically says the sound first when they see that letter, but they follow up with the letter name. Because I have such a long chant for them to say when they see the letter, and they say the SOUND first, it’s easy for them to shorten the chant to just the sound when we sound out the letters in, say, the title of the book I am about to read to them.

    thanks for all you do. I love and have copied out the instructions for some of those sensory bins and bottles, and will be using them in my room. THANKS AGAIN!

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      January 3, 2018 at 2:50 am

      I love this advice! Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. So helpful! And I’m very glad my website is useful to you! 🙂

      Reply
    • Samantha A. says

      December 11, 2021 at 7:19 am

      I would love to win the sandpaper letters. I have a lot of alphabet activities. Do they have lowercase as well?
      I put letters and numbers in small rubber duckies and used them in a sensory table as a game as well.

      Reply
  199. d says

    December 13, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    can anyone help me w with these materials? my phone can’t download
    my email [email protected]

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      December 14, 2017 at 3:52 am

      What materials are you needing?

      Reply
  200. Eliana says

    August 18, 2017 at 7:44 am

    Thank you very much for this article, I think it is very helpfull. I am a Spanish native speaker but I am studying English Language teaching. The reason why I found your post very interesting is that I am also a young mom and I would like that my baby boy has two mother tongues, English and Spanish, and thanks to your post and experience I had now different easy ways to start teaching English to my baby in a more natural way, just as the native English speakers.

    Reply
  201. Carol says

    August 17, 2017 at 1:17 am

    These seem interesting, but I have a 4 year old son, and he seems to get the concept of the alphabet, he keeps forgetting the letters W,X,Y, and Z. So what else can I do to help him remember those last 4 letters of the alphabet.

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      August 29, 2017 at 3:54 am

      I would read more alphabet books. Keep singing the ABC song with him. There are some really good DVDs to watch, like The Letter Factory.

      Reply
  202. Chimène says

    May 17, 2017 at 10:33 am

    Hello!
    Thank you so much for sharing such useful tips! I am very interested in the sandpaper letters and I’m actually ordering the didax set soon! I was wondering if there was a specific order recommended to follow when teaching the letters because I wad thinking of starting with my son’s name since it is only 3 letters, “Ali”.

    Thank you for such insightful information!

    Reply
  203. Martha says

    November 5, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Thanks so much for the idea of sandpaper letters and making the alphabet box. I have a two year old granddaughter and I am always looking for interesting ways of teaching her the alphabet. Tracing the letter with the sandpaper letters will be much easier, than a printable worksheet, as a beginning tool

    Reply
  204. Carey says

    August 18, 2016 at 9:24 am

    Hi, I am so happy to find a great website that i can use to help teach my children at home. We have recently moved to another country with an entirely new language and want to teach my children at home in English while they learn at school the other language. As i am very new to being a stay at home mom, i have found your website very user friendly with loads of advise on how to go about teaching my children. Thank you.

    Reply
  205. jane oboh says

    July 25, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Thank you so much for these great ideas. i am going to add the alphabet box activity to my other activities.

    Reply
  206. JoAnn Stanley says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    I just purchased the upper and lower case alphabet formations downloads so now how do I get to them.

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      June 14, 2016 at 5:22 pm

      Hi JoAnn! An email was sent to your paypal email address. Sometimes AOL email address reject my emails. I will personally send you an email. Thanks!

      Reply
  207. heather says

    April 4, 2016 at 3:41 am

    Alphabet Boxes! This is the best IDEA ever!!!!! I have two none english speaking students in my 3 year old class and this will do wonders for them!

    Reply
  208. Lakshmi.U says

    March 22, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Nice, am trying dis method for my child,he also likes to learn easily

    Reply
  209. Brittney says

    January 19, 2016 at 1:32 am

    I love the alphabet boxes. We get together each week with some friend to do “Toddler Time” where we cover a different alphabet letter and having objects seems to be the best way to cement the letter sounds in our tot’s minds.

    Reply
  210. tajik says

    December 23, 2014 at 6:58 am

    Very well.this post was useful for me.i tried to work with this methods.in first i have to translate it to my native culture.because i am Iranian teacher.thank you so much

    Reply
  211. Renee says

    March 10, 2014 at 1:43 am

    I have the alphabet on the wall ( you can find some very cute “wall sticker” kinds online). The kids line up and take turns taking an alphabet card (from a deck of alphabet cards), then running to touch the letter on the wall. I encourage them to say the name of the letter, but readily say it for them if they don’t know. This is great for numbers as well.

    Reply
    • Ramadan Abdullah says

      March 25, 2017 at 5:36 am

      Oh I like that idea! I will have to try that out for sure!!

      Reply
  212. Shirley says

    January 16, 2014 at 4:14 am

    I was a teaching assistant at a Montessori school and one thing the kids liked to do was make letter books with the sandpaper letters. Fold a small piece of paper around the letter tile (ours were homemade on pieces of thin wood) and rub a crayon over it to make a rubbing. The kids would do their names and we would make a banner using string. The older kids would sound out words and we would staple them together.

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      January 17, 2014 at 1:30 am

      I absolutely LOVE that idea, Shirley! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it. I will be trying this out with my kids!!

      Reply
  213. Joan says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Wow… The Sandpaper letters are interesting. I’ll have to add that to my list of neat tricks. I’m always looking for unique items to teach the alphabet. If anyone is interested, I’d like to suggest this link for something new: http://www.letterheadsplayground.com Go to their download page to download free PDF coloring pages.

    Reply
  214. Nicole says

    September 20, 2013 at 1:34 am

    I loved this post! I have a 9 month old & I love reading to her. What age do you recommend starting to teach the alphabet ?

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      September 20, 2013 at 1:50 am

      I started with my oldest when he was 2. He seemed ready, but that may seem early for some. If they seem interested, then you can start when they are ready! Thanks for your kind words. 🙂

      Reply
  215. Heather {Upside Down Homeschooling} says

    March 7, 2013 at 12:36 am

    I love the alphabet boxes and sandpaper letters. Thanks for sharing with the Hearts for Home Blog Hop! Blessings!!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      March 7, 2013 at 3:35 am

      Thank you, Heather! I love your blog hop!

      Reply
  216. Bethany G says

    March 5, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    We did a variation of the alphabet boxes last week, too. First we read the book “My ‘t’ Sound Box” by Jane Moncure. A boy fills his box with things that start with “t.” The Sound Box series has books for the whole alphabet and the library has them (at least I know Urbandale and Des Moines do). Since M is 4 he gathered objects that started with “t.” He had a blast! I think I’ll look into the sandpaper letters. I think my boys would love them 🙂 thanks for the ideas!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      March 6, 2013 at 9:07 pm

      That is so fun! I’ll have to check that book out. I’m sure Troy would love that!

      Reply
  217. Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says

    March 4, 2013 at 12:14 am

    What a helpful post, especially to those of us who are interested in teaching our children but don’t have a teaching background. Thanks for including the list of what a preschooler should know before Kindergarten. That gives me a concrete goal to work towards with my son.
    I’m excited to see what else you share here!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      March 4, 2013 at 10:35 pm

      Thank you so much, Ann! That is my desire–to help those moms who are interested in teaching their preschooler at home, but aren’t sure what they need to cover or where to start. I’m glad it helps you, too! Thanks again for your sweet words!

      Reply
  218. Susen says

    March 1, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I haven’t done this with my daughter yet but when my son was a preschooler I used brown paper bags and wrote the upper case letter on one side and lower case letter on the other side. We went over the sound of the letter we were working on and than I had him go around the house and find things that began with that letter sound and put it into the brown paper bag. He had alot of fun searching for stuff with the correct letter sound!!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      March 1, 2013 at 8:10 pm

      Oh I like that idea! I will have to try that out for sure!!

      Reply
  219. Teaching Mama says

    March 1, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    You’re so welcome! I’m glad it was helpful for you. That is amazing that you still remember sandpaper letters!! I didn’t have them growing up, but hoping my boys enjoy learning with them! Thanks for your comment.

    Reply
  220. tladley says

    March 1, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Thank you for making this post. It is so helpful. I am actually interested in getting the sandpaper letters. I remember learning the alphabet from them and alphabet boxes. I found it fun and useful. This is amazing since i dont have many memories from this age.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Social Development in Preschoolers | Teaching Mama says:
    April 13, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    […] 2. Alphabet […]

    Reply
  2. Ultimate Homeschool Link-Up #8 says:
    March 7, 2013 at 10:01 am

    […] 5 Ways to Teach the Alphabet […]

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