8
Learning About Letter
Names and Sounds
Letter Names:
Learning to recognize and write the letters of the alphabet is
an important fi rst step on the road to reading success. The activities in MY OWN
LEARNING LEAP™ Interactive Friend will give your child practice in examining
the shapes of the letters A to Z, while matching the capital form of each letter to
its letter name and sound.
Being able to recite the alphabet is not the same as “knowing” the letters. Can your
child identify each letter by name and sound? Can he or she distinguish between
“look-alike” letters, such as E and F; M and N; U and V?
There are lots of activities you can do to build upon the letter recognition skills
your child is practicing, and help ensure your child’s reading and writing progress.
Tips for helping your child recognize and write the
alphabet letters:
• Write the letters of the alphabet on index cards, one letter per card. Place the
cards in order from A to Z along a path inside or outside your home. As you
walk along the path with your child, take turns naming each alphabet letter you
see.
• Vary this activity to play ABC Hunt. Hide the letters in random order around
your house. Then, have your child hunt for and collect the cards in ABC order.
Ask your child to name each card as he or she collects it.
• Point out letters in newspapers, billboards and road signs. You can play games
spotting letters as you ride in the car together.
• Be sure to read plenty of alphabet books with your child, and point out the
different letters that you see each day.
