We know that recognizing and naming the letters of the alphabet is a key skill on the road to reading, and we’ve seen young children’s delight when they find “their” letter! We may also have seen children struggle to learn letters or even avoid alphabet activities. This session will provide knowledge and tools in support of effective alphabet instruction for all preschool children. We will start by investigating how children actually learn to recognize and name letters. We will then examine what research shows are effective methods to support children’s alphabet knowledge. We will explore a few alphabet activities in detail and establish some general guidelines for selecting and implementing others. We will conclude by inviting learning partners to integrate with their personal literacy plans. This session utilizes Tier 1 evidence-based instructional strategies for the Components of Phonological Awareness, Word Recognition, and Writing.
Gateways Topic: Early Literacy
Gateways Content Areas: (D) Curriculum or Program Design
CDC Content Areas: (8) Child Development