fun ideas to help my toddler's learn ABC

Kourtney - posted on 05/25/2012

As a Kindergarten teacher whose training is in early childhood education my advice would be don't try. If you are doing the normal, good parenting type things such as reading to your child daily, singing the ABC and other songs, pointing out environmental print (yes even if they recognize the walmart sign it is positive :), and playing games your child will do well.

Outside of these things just expose your child to letters, literacy materials (abc magnets and puzzles are good) but don't try to "teach" them intentionally. Before age 4 it is not developmentally appropriate nor will it give them an "edge". It is better for them develop a curiosity and choose to learn on their own and than be "taught" and develop a negative attitude. That you care shows you are probably already doing the right things, just don't feel pressure to have them learn! I can tell you that long run the kid who "knew" their alphabet at 2 doesn't have an advantage over the one who learns at 5. *(I say "knew" because the alphabet is an abstract concept and it is extremely rare that even young school age children actually understand letters rather than simply regurgitate what they have been told to say.)

Alice - posted on 05/19/2012

hi

Alice - posted on 05/19/2012

hi

Kim - posted on 03/04/2010

There are so many options when it comes to teaching abc's and 123's and i enjoy them all but my fav to do with my 2 boys is cheap,easy and good excercise as well just go to the doller store pick up abc flash cards lay them out in a line you can do half at a time if not enough room or just do more then one row and then simply call out the letter and ask your child to jump over the card if he/she dosnt know the letter then you can jump in to! i still do this with my four year old as well but i have incorperated sounds and things that start with.hope this helps and have fun!

Kristie - posted on 03/04/2010

songs stick in your head. honestly as much as i tried and tried myself my oldest is learning his from his Leapfrog School Bus that sings the ABC's he is even learning the sounds the letters make from it. its a great learning tool for that!

Sarah - posted on 03/04/2010

Really anything you do with them to play and sing will help them learn. kids learn and retain the most information before they are 5 and as long as you are playing they will pick it up, there are lots of web sites, like pbskids.org and such that have fun games but even flash cards can be helpful. And coloring padges. Do a letter a week, find different coloring padges and do them together, talk about what letter it is and what sound it makes, also what words start with that letter. Letter associtation helps alot!

Lauren - posted on 03/04/2010

the song helped my son and became the only thing that would calm him when he was fussy! there are also those books that have the buttons to pronounce the letters... my son loved those. He learned his ABC's like 2 months after his first bday! Or you can buy flashcards with the alphabet on them and have her carry one around all week telling her what it is and how it sounds and what things start with this letter... it's really helpful! Good LUCK :)

Erin - posted on 03/04/2010

My daughter really liked www.starfalls.com when she was learning her ABC's. Also, point out letters whenever you can; store signs, books, magazines, this makes it a fun game. We also used a easel with magnetic letters and I would write a letter on the board and she would put the magnetic one on it.