How To Teach Writing Alphabets To 3 Years Old

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Inside: 30 Awesome Ways to Teach the Alphabet -And You Won't Need Flashcards. Free printables included!

Preschool parents are concerned their children won't learn their ABCs. I get that. I was that parent.

Then I became a preschool teacher. I relaxed. As a teacher, I know that alphabet learning should be hands-on. It's not about flash cards or workbooks. It's about providing playful literacy activities that excite young children to want to learn more.

If you are a preschool teacher, you might wonder at what part of your day should you include alphabet learning. My answer? All day long.

Remember my post about how to add literacy in all areas of the classroom? (If not, I've got you covered. Just click here.) Parents can add similar activities in the home.

Bottom line: keep it fun while you teach the alphabet and let them explore!

30 Awesome Ways to Teach the Alphabet -And You Won't Need Flashcards. Free printables included!

30+ Awesome Ways to Teach the Alphabet

Fine Motor

Download these free alphabet printables that can be used with Do-a-Dots. (Tot School)

Trace letters using cars and these free road letter printables. (Playdough to Plato)

Practice writing letters in spices for an additional sensory experience. (Frog in a Pocket)

Download these free block letter printables and see over 150 ways your child can fill them. (The Measured Mom)

Use recycled materials to make a Feeding the Alphabet Monster Game. (I Can Teach My Child)

Create lines and curves on rocks to teach preschoolers correct letter formation. (You Clever Monkey)

Art

Children can make their own watercolor alphabet chart to hang in their rooms. (Homegrown Friends)

Do you explore a letter of the week? If so, check out B-Inspired Mama's letter-of-the-week collection.

Literacy

Enjoy listening to a variety of alphabet books. (This Reading Mama)

Write letters on beans for a simple letter matching activity using muffin tins. (The Imagination Tree)

Music

Add literacy to music with some fun alphabet songs. (Fun-a-Day)

Blocks

Create letters with Duplos after downloading these free letter printables. (123 Homeschool for Me)

Add letters to your block area for some added literacy fun.

Sensory

Explore letters in the sensory table. Both toddlers and preschoolers love this activity!

Make your own tactile cards! Tactile cards allows children to explore the alphabet by tracing the letters with their fingers. (Teaching Mama)

Science

Add some science to your literacy activities – one for each letter of the alphabet. (Science Sparks)

Break the ice and find the letters. (Super God Not Super Mom)

Find out what happens when you drop watercolors onto letters with glue and salt. (A Dab of Glue)

Games

Help children learn their letter sounds while playing an alphabet sorting game. (Free printable from Tot Schooling)

Feed the shark some alphabet fish. (Toddler Approved)

Small World

Use letters in small world play by making a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree. (Buggy and Buddy)

Cooking

Explore the alphabet while baking a variety of foods with your children. (Life at the Zoo)

Get in the kitchen and make alphabet pretzels. (Simple Today Life)

Large Motor

Get your body moving while learning the alphabet with bean bags. (Teach Preschool)

Identify letters by name and sound while kicking a ball. (Fun Learning for Kids)

Outdoors

Practice the alphabet outside by making a letter museum. (Rubberboots and Elf Shoes)

Trace letters on the ground and watch them erupt. (Learn, Play, Imagine)

Name Recognition

Help your children learn the letters in their names with fun, hands-on name activities.

Press letters into playdough to make your name. (123 Homeschool 4 Me)

Build your name using Duplo bricks. (No Time for Flashcards)

Magnetic Letters

Make a simple letter box for recognizing and sorting letters.

Use magnetic letters on a cookie sheet. (Free printable from The Intentional Momma)

If you have some magnetic letters, you will want to try one of Growing Book By Book's ideas from their magnetic alphabet collection.

FREE alphabet matching printables!

Click on the photo for the pdf download:

free alphabet matching cards

You can find more activities on our Literacy Board.

30 Awesome Ways to Teach the Alphabet (Without Using Flash Cards)

Pom Pom Alphabet Cards Printables

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Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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