Teaching alphabets to the preschoolers

The toughest part of teaching the pre-schoolers is teaching them alphabets. Since the alphabets lay down the foundation of reading skills , they are of utmost importance. Now the question arises how to do it without putting unnecessary pressure on them?

                     In order to teach these young individuals simple but innovative ways have to be used. AS it is well-known that the standards methods of teaching cannot be used. So the play-way method is used which utilizes all the three styles of learning: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Patience and perseverence is the key to success in teaching the pre-schoolers.  But adequate encouragement is also necessary.
            
                     So the best way is to introduce one alphabet at a time, and continue with it for atleast one week. But it is better to introduce both capital and small forms of alphabets at the same time as it may cause a problem later. I did not pay attention to this fact while teaching alphabets to my daughter, so when I tried to bring to her notice the small forms of same alphabets she simply refused to accept them. Now after showing them repeatedly along with the capital letters, she has started to recognize them.  It becomes easier to remember the alphabet for the child if it is associated with some known objects like an apple with "a". Whenever the child comes across that object you can remind him of that particular alphabet. In one week's time, while you teach a particular letter, you can introduce various objects beginning with it. You can do so by either showing their pictures or in real.
          The following  ways can be used to introduce the alphabets to the preschoolers :

Sing the ABC song- When you sing the ABC song the child will become familiar with all the alphabets from A to Z. Initially he may not be able to sing with you but eventually he will. You can make this song as a part of your bath or bed time routine.

Educational Programmes- Nowadays various educational CD's are available in the market. various Tv channels also show educational programmes. These channels or CD's make your work easier but the trick is that you must watch it with them and involve youself, i.e. you can dance with them , copy the movements shown, sing the songs (let your inner child come out)

Alphabet blocks or cubes- These are easily available in the market. You can bring them home and enjoy playing with your child. You could build structures like alphabet pillars or pyramids and at the same time introduce alphabets to your child.

Board Books-  If the child seems to be interested in reading books you can buy alphabet board books for him. These books have thick pages, nice pictures and come in great variety. The children cannot easily tear them, chew them or eat them. Together you can go through these books.  Reading is a good habit and you can nurture it in your child by making it a fun filled activity. It is essential for improving vocabulary. Read stories regularly to your child and you can do make it interesting by enacting the stories, by doing actions or by making different sounds.

Computer- All the children love to work on computers. You can use this opportunity to teach them alphabets. I used MIcrosoft word to teach alphabets to my daughter. She used to enjoy it a lot.

Cutting alphabets out of paper- You can cut alphabets out of plain sheets of paper and then help your child colour them.

Spray painting- This is another very interesting method of teaching alphabets. Alphabets stencils are easily available. They can be used to trace out alphabets by spraying colour into them using a toothbrush.

Sand- Children love to play in sand. You can join them and at the same time teach alphabets to them. When at home you can use flour in its place to teach.

Clay, Toothpicks or Straw- All these can also be used to teach alphabets. You can make alphabets with toothpicks or clay and show it to them. You can also cut straw into pieces and then help your child stick them to the alphabets drawn on paper.

                  Choose the method of teaching according to the interest and capability of your child. You can even combine different ways but you will have to repeat many times before the child eventually starts recognising the alphabets.