Letter recognition is just one piece of a comprehensive literacy program in preschool. But it’s an important piece! Here are 100 free alphabet printables that will help your preschooler learn letter recognition, letter formation, beginning sounds and more!
In this list you will find fun activities that are perfect for preschool centers and teaching preschoolers the alphabet. Some alphabet activities include uppercase letters and lowercase letter matching. There are also alphabet worksheets such as coloring pages, letter tracing and alphabet order printables.
Alphabet letters don’t come naturally to all children. Some recognize letters with only a few times being exposed to them, while other children need repeated exposure. I think because of this we are always looking for new and improved teaching techniques for teaching preschoolers the alphabet.
Preschoolers need a lot of exposure to the alphabet. They need explicit instruction as well as plenty of indirect alphabet instruction.
That’s where letter knowledge builds through playful and natural activities in day to day life. To start teaching your preschooler the alphabet, try these things:
~ Read lots and lots of picture books!
~ Point out print around you.
~ Teach your child the letters of his name.
~ Teach each letter explicitly.
~ Do lots of whole alphabet activities, too.
~ Do hands-on alphabet activities.
~ Sing letter songs.
The alphabet should not be taught in alphabetical order. Teaching the alphabet in order puts a big focus on those beginning letters. Those are probably going to be the ones that your child sees and remembers most, since that Alphabet Song is so catchy!
Instead, teach the letters in order of how frequently they appear easily decodable words. Letters like s, t, r, m, n, a, o, and p should be taught first. These are “high-frequency” letters and emphasis on these letters first will allow children to quickly start reading simple words.
Many preschool alphabet activities that are done in the classroom can also be done at home. Beginning sound activities like these Beginning Sound Picture Seek Mats are a good option, as well as these Beginning Sound Fill-in Cards and these Year Long Alphabet Find and Circle Worksheets.
