There are so many amazing ways to explore the alphabet with preschoolers, it truly boggles my mind! But in the best way possible! I love, love creating fresh ways for young learners to begin exploring letter identification, sound identification, letter formation, and letters in general. These engaging activities form a crucial foundation for learning to read. I mean it! Crucial!
How to Teach the Alphabet to Preschoolers
ALPHABET LESSON PLANS FOR preschoolers
LEARNING THE ALPHABET LETTER NAMES AND SOUNDS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS FUTURE READING SUCCESS. ITS IMPORTANCE SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED!
Alphabet letter activities in preschool should introduce those funny shapes that each have their own special name and sound. Activities should be varied throughout the school year, as well as hands-on, to allow for much tactile exploration.
I like to differentiate preschool alphabet printables as much as possible by only giving the students what they can be successful with without feeling frustrated or overwhelmed.
I would introduce the free printable alphabet activity for preschool as a whole group and then meet with small groups of students to work on it so I can be sure they complete each page correctly.
Once students are comfortable with all of the activities for each letter of the alphabet, I would place some of the pages at the literacy center for students to work on independently.
This alphabet activity for preschoolers printable is jam-packed with a variety of pages for each letter. Each page targets the skill in a different way and lends itself to different types of learners:
- First sound pictures to identify orally and color
- Uppercase and lowercase letter identification
- I Spy letter identification page with dot markers
- Rainbow writing page for each upper and lowercase letter
- Dot marker page with large upper and lowercase letters
- Roll and write preschool alphabet tracing pages for each letter
- Color and read page with sight words and repeated text, “I see the…”
What Can Preschoolers Learn Beyond the Alphabet Song?
TEACHING LETTERS TO preschoolers
PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS NEED LOTS OF REPETITION WHEN LEARNING THE LETTERS. MANY CHILDREN REQUIRE A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN A SET OF FLASHCARDS OR SOME COLORING PAGES.
Preschool teachers can use a variety of alphabet books for preschoolers, printable activities, letter matching activities, magnetic letters, and more to expose students to letters in lots of different ways.
Here are some helpful tips for young learners:
- Break up the alphabet. When students can accurately name sets of five to ten letters, introduce a few more.
- Instill writing habits early by talking about the lines used to form the letters, where they start, and whether they are straight, diagonal, or curved.
- Talk about the idea that letters have names and sounds. When students know all (or most) of the letter names, begin to introduce the sounds.
- Start letter identification with what they know, like their name!
- Be patient! This is a whole new ‘language’ for young children. They will learn with plenty of repetition, games, activities and varied free alphabet printables for preschool.
Why Is It Important For Kids To Learn Letters?
Teaching letter names is sort of like feeding kids fruits and vegetables! We know it’s an important component of producing healthy readers. It also contributes to other important skills.
More Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers:
Build letter recognition with these Alphabet Games and activities for preschoolers!
Keep your supplies stocked for a quick alphabet activity just when you need it!
Educational Insights Alphabet Beanbags, Learn Letters, Toddler Learning Toy, Preschool Toys, Set of 26 Beanbags, Ages 3+Learning Resources Alphabet Marks The Spot Floor Mat
Foam Bath Toys 100% Non-Toxic Preschool Alphabet – Best Baby Bath Toys Toddlers Kids Girls Boys – Premium Educational Floating Bathtub Toys – Biggest Set Letters Animals (26 Puzzles – 52 Items)
Learning Resources Alphabet Acorns Activity Set, Develops Letter Recognition, Educational Toys for Toddlers, Homeschool, Visual & Tactile Learning Toy, 78 Pieces, Ages 3+
Peaceable Kingdom Alphabet Bingo! Letter Learning Board Game for Kids
Learning Resources Alphabet Soup Sorters – 208 Pieces, Ages 3+, Early Phonics Manipulatives, ABCs, Alphabet Awareness & Recognition, Alphabet Soup Games
SEQUENCE Letters by Jax – SEQUENCE Fun from A to Z
Materials needed for the Free Printable Alphabet Books:
Get the Supplies Here:
Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here.
- Paper
- Paper Cutter
- Staples
HP Printer Paper | 8.5 x 11 Paper | BrightWhite 24 lb |1 Ream – 500 Sheets| 100 Bright | Made in USA – FSC Certified | 203000RFiskars SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer 12 Inch, 1.44×10.31×18.06
Swingline Stapler, Commercial Desktop Staplers, 20 Sheet Capacity, Portable, Durable Metal Desktop Stapler for Home Office Supplies, Classroom or Desktop Accessories, Black, 2 Pack (44401AZ)
How To Use The Printable Alphabet Books
LEARNING LETTERS with preschoolers
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO USE THESE ALPHABET BOOKS! CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF ALL YOUR LEARNERS, THEN TAKE IT FROM THERE!
All you need to do is print the alphabet pages, cut them in half, then staple the pages together. You can assemble books with one letter per book, groups of five or more, or any other combination that works for your students.
You could also just use the pages you like, instead of stapling the pages into little booklets. For example, if your students can’t get enough do-a-dot marker activities, just give them those pages. You could do one page a day for 26 days!
There are LOTS of other ways to get tons of mileage out of this one free printable!
Other Ways To Use The Printable Alphabet Books:
Sequencing Cards
Use one each of the rainbow writing or dot pages to challenge students to put the letters in ABC order.
Scavenger Hunt
Pick your favorite page, then hide letters around the room for students to find and match with the lowercase version.
Letter Matching
Print the rainbow writing letter pages on card stock and laminate. Then, use them as a large letter matching game.
Sensory Bin
Choose a letter, then hide items in the sensory bin that begin with that sound.
Connect with a Book
Share a book like, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” by Bill Martin, Jr. to pique students interest before introducing the letter books.
Celebrate Each Letter
Choose a letter each week and have a celebration! Maybe students wear clothes that begin with that letter, or you plan special snacks based on beginning sounds.
50+ FREE Alphabet Activities
Our Favorite Alphabet Books:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Paperback Book) by Bill Martin, Jr.Mrs. Peanuckle’s Alphabet, 6-Book Set
AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First
TouchThinkLearn: ABC (Baby Board Books, Baby Touch and Feel Books, Sensory Books for Toddlers)
LMNO Peas (The Peas Series)
I Spy Letters
My First Bob Books – Alphabet Box Set | Phonics, Letter sounds, Ages 3 and up, Pre-K (Reading Readiness)
The Construction Alphabet Book (Jerry Pallotta’s Alphabet Books)
P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever
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