These literacy activities are easy options you can include in everyday playtimes. Fun, hands-on activities promote learning through play, to support early reading skills in preschool and kindergarten.

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Let's give a nod to the alphabet!

The adventure starts with a glimpse at the letters of the alphabet in everyday play, and results in a world of discovery and learning!

We can help kids enjoy literature, and the letters of the alphabet, by including them in our daily reading and writing.

Kids see grownups engaging naturally with language and literacy in everyday experiences:

• reading story books
• writing letters and emails
• signing Christmas cards

We can support early learning by including kids in grownup activities, and by providing hands-on interaction with toys and materials.

The activities in this post are designed to spark imagination and creativity using everyday materials.

Crafts are made with recyclables, props are household items, and books listed here can be substituted for ones you love. Activities can accommodate one child or several children at a time, and adapt to individual skill levels.

Kids will learn to recognize and form letters at ages and stages unique to their own development. 

• Responses or outcomes will vary according to different skill levels, interest, and engagement, and should not determine the success of an activity. The goal is to provide a variety of activities that stimulate interaction, observation and discovery.

Preschool literacy experiences 

Kids become familiar with seeing the ABC's in many different ways during everyday play. 

1. Free play: Toys and play materials display letters of the alphabet.

• A favorite book has the name of the title character on the cover.
• A set of wooden blocks is stamped with letters of the alphabet.
• Toy cars and other toys have colorful labels.

2. Intentional play: Grownups introduce activities such as card games, songs, or crafts.

Whether materials are made available for independent play, or introduced in parent-led or teacher-led activities, the goal is to teach letters of the alphabet through engaging hands-on play.

Participation is an important part of learning through play. If the activities are interesting, developmentally appropriate, and largely child-led, kids will respond more readily to the activities we introduce.

Build on the ideas provided here to create your own engaging playtimes. 

Try an activity every day throughout the week!

Create play dough letters and shapes for a tactile experience.

Heart shaped letters of the alphabet cards are fun to make for a holiday theme.

A set of homemade felt letters provides activities on the flannel board.

Use scrabble tiles in creative ways to reinforce letter recognition.

Add nature to your everyday learning with twig letters.

Recycle foam trays for drawing and printing with chalk.

Use fun materials like stencils and foam letters to grab kids interest.

Fill a discovery bottle with letters of the alphabet.

Keep a homemade set of letter cards accessible for daily interaction.

Explore letters with a picture book and extend the play with a felt craft.

Create simple homemade books that help kids recognize letters and numbers. 

Make a lift-the-flaps game with words for gross motor movements.

This roundup is a nod to the alphabet you can't resist! Grab some fun activities and get started on your adventure today.

Literacy board on Pinterest