Alphabet

The US National Institute of Health studies have shown that "...at least 95% of even the poorest readers can learn to read at grade level if they are given proper instruction in sound-letter relationships." If nothing else, this statement should motivate parents to teach their children the alphabet as soon as the child can make sounds. It is no accident that ABC books for kids, starting in infancy, continue to top the market in book sales. Children's story books are often built around the concept of the alphabet, with children's story characters teaching one another the letters, sounds, and words that begin with each letter.

Alphabet Games For Kids

Alphabet games for kids can take any shape - the limit to creativity lies within the imagination of the adult doing the teaching. The body can be used to form simple letters. By stretching the arms straight out at the sides, and keeping the body straight and tall, the letter "t" is formed. Arms and legs out at angles make an "x". Sitting on the floor and curving the arms and body around creates a "c". A variety of media can be used to teach children the alphabet. Finger painting flowers can yield "F" for flower. Alphabet games for kids can be purchased, or created with the use of blocks or magnetized letters for the fridge. Wearing alphabet t-shirts keeps the visual appearance of the letters before the child and he or she will subliminally internalize them.

Take Your Time

Each child learns at their own rate, so forcing a child to learn the alphabet may end up being detrimental and frustrating to both parent and child. Children will absorb what they see and hear, and as their cognitive skills develop, practicing the alphabet in as many venues as possible reinforces their learning. There are alphabet games where a word is written and a letter left out - the child gets to guess the missing letter. Learning is a part of life and as such, should be part of everyday experience. If a parent is working in the kitchen and a child is there, the parent can say a word and the child can spell it with magnetized letters on the fridge. Singing is a great way to teach children to spell and sound words out. There are many children's song books available to help a parent teach musical alphabet songs to their child.

Write A Story For Your Child

When it comes to writing children's stories, parents can create alphabet books for their children. When a parent is looking for ideas for making alphabet books, it is a good idea to think about things the child loves and enjoys doing or what they have personal preferences for. It is important to choose concepts that are meaningful for the child, either going with a theme or mixing different ideas to create an exciting and meaningful project. By writing children's stories for their kids, parents and children can enjoy the experience of learning together. Teaching a child the letters and words that are composed of the letters, make learning fun and intimate for the child.

Moving Forward To Books

As children are able to recognize letters and know the sounds they make, they can proceed to reading simple children's stories. Short stories of their favorite characters are readily available.  Think of the pleasure your child will have reading a simple story about Dragon in Shrek, or another favorite character from a book he loves.  Lists of children's stories and lists of children's book characters that would be useful in teaching the alphabet to young children and toddlers are available at libraries, on the internet and in book stores. In children's literature, characters become identifiable and easy for the children to recognize. In some books, these characters take the child through the books, acting as a guide. The Bright and Early Board Books showcase the fun art and great rhymes of Dr. Seuss as the characters celebrate the alphabet. This book is especially suited for babies and toddlers. This book and others that are suitable for specific age groups can be found on lists of children's stories and books.

Teaching a child the magical connection between the names of the letters and the sounds they make, and how those letters come together with their sounds to create names of real things, people, and places, can be a fun adventure for both parent and child.