I remember the first time my little one tried to sing the ABC song, she got several of the letters totally wrong. She couldn’t pronounce them, and she sang them out of order.

And this is completely normal!

Kids don’t just learn the alphabet on their own – they have to be taught the alphabet. I had to find ways to teach her the alphabet beyond singing the alphabet song. Parental involvement is why some students go to school knowing the alphabet and other kids don’t. According to Scholastic, “Most children learn to recognize letters between ages 3 and 4. Typically, children will recognize the letters in their name first. By age 5, most kindergartners begin to make sound-letter associations.”

If you want your child to learn the alphabet on time, avoid these five mistakes.

1. Not Showing Kids Visuals

Learning the alphabet involves much more than just mastering the ABC song. Kids must be taught to recognize and identify letters. And they can’t do this without visuals, such as books, educational television shows, and blocks.

2. Not Reading Fun Alphabet Books

Let’s say you take our advice on Mistake #1 and decide to read a book with your kids. While this is the right idea, you may be reading the wrong books. There are many alphabet books available, but that doesn’t mean they are all good.

Rather than wasting your time on books your kids won’t enjoy, choose the classics such as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Additionally, include a personalized ABC book from NAMEE to your shelf. Both of these books keep kids fully engaged and make learning fun!

3. Not Teaching Upper and Lower Case

Another common mistake parents make when teaching their kids the alphabet is not teaching upper case AND lower case letters. Children need to learn how to identify both. Fortunately, NAMEE’s ABC book includes both upper case and lower case to make teaching this skill easier.

4. Not Using Repetition

Yes, reading the same book and singing the same song is boring to parents. But it is really helpful for young children – especially when learning the alphabet!

Reading Bright Start explains, “It’s good because repetition provides the practice that children need to master new skills. Repetition helps to improve speed, increases confidence, and strengthens the connections in the brain that help children learn.”

5. Not Enough Hands-On Activities

Learning the alphabet should also be hands-on. Here are some fun games and activities to try:

  • Have kids practice writing their letters in the sand, shaving cream, or paint.
  • Practice writing letters using sidewalk chalk.
  • Play a game of “I Spy” the letter using different books and objects around your home with letters.
  • Play alphabet bingo.
  • Form letters with playdoh or pipe cleaners.
  • Eat alphabet soup.
  • Have kids match upper case letters with lower case letters. You can write the letters on small cards, dried beans, or even plastic Easter eggs.
  • Encourage ABC water play with some bath letter sponges.

Get started! Create your personalized ABC book today!