Those twenty-six symbols are the basis for so much more. Preschoolers need to have certain skills before learning the alphabet. Being able to recite the alphabet and being able to recognize letters and writing the letters are three very different skills. The best thing anyone can do to prepare children to learn their letters and eventually to read, is to read to them. Simple, isn’t it?
Shapes
Learning to discriminate between the different shapes. Learning to tell the difference between a square and a rectangle or a circle and an oval sets the stage for reasoning skills.
Same & Different
What is the same? What is different? This can range anywhere from the simple to the extremely challenging. Knowing how things look and finding objects that look exactly like it, or picking out an object that is different is an important observation skill that will help a child when they start learning math concepts. If an apple looks just like an orange how will they be able to tell an A from a B?
Pre-writing
Before a preschooler can learn to write letters they need to be able to:
*Draw a circle
*Draw vertical lines
*Draw horizontal lines
*Draw diagonal lines
My 5½ year-old nephew has dysgraphia. Because of this, he is unable to make a circle or draw a straight line. He knows his letters and can say his alphabet but he can not make anything that remotely resembles a letter. It would be cruel to try and force him, and children like him, learn to write. Attempting to force them will only result in frustration and feeling of failure on the part of the child. With technology today, it makes more sense to teach children with dysgraphia how to type.
Fun Activities
-In time I will be adding an article for each letter of the alphabet. In each article I will have coloring sheets, templates, worksheets and mazes all revolving around that letter. Each article will have enough printable’s to make a lap book for each letter.
-Cut out letters from sand paper and attach a velcro to the back of each letter and glue strips of velcro to the inside of shoe box. Cut a small hole in the top of the lid and cover the hole with a cloth. Put a letter in the box, replace the lid and have the preschooler put their hand inside the box and try to figure out what letter is in the box by feeling the shape.
