by Claireen Louise

Created on: March 05, 2007   Last Updated: March 17, 2007

ABC Reading Tips For Toddlers

As I sit here with my son squirming on my lap he glances at the computer screen and notices these characters on the screen that we call "letters."

We are surrounded by them in everyday life, more than we even realize! That makes for perfect "hands on" learning to start to teach our toddlers how to read!

I have tried some methods with my (very active) two year old son that have worked, and so I wanted to share them.

One thing I have done is drawn the letter A and the letter B with marker on two different sheets of construction paper and taped them on the wall. I showed it to my toddler and clearly pointed out each letter several times. Then I handed him a bunch of stickers and let him at it! I asked him to put a sticker on the letter A, and if he didn't know which letter that was I guided his hand and we put it on there together. (Don't forget to praise your child constantly. That's the best and most fun way to learn!) Eventually he caught on, and got the letters A & B down pat. A week or so later I did the same thing with C & D ... etc. etc.

Something else I would suggest is only starting out with capital letters. Introducing lowercase at the same time is too confusing for those little guys, so it is best to just stick with one type.

Another chance to teach our tots their ABC's is bathtime! Most tots love their bath, and who doesn't love to play with bath toys? At toystores you can buy foam bath letters that stick to tile when wet! Talk about "hands on learning" Those things are a blast and babies like the feel of the foam against their little gums.

One simple thing to do is remembering to sing the ABCs! Sing the ABC song when you are driving, doing dishes, ...whatever. Try to sing it clearly and often so that your child catches on and might even start to sing along with you.

As you are driving or walking around town keep your eyes peeled for big, simple, capitlized signs. Point the signs out to your tot. Start from left to right and say all of the letters together. Reading from left to right is something you can teach your child just after them watching you do it repeated times.

Keep it fun! Don't force them to sit still and do flashcards if they don't want to! They will be having so much fun interacting and playing with you they won't even realize that they are learning to read.

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