Literacy activities using foam letters help preschoolers identify the letters of their names. Letter match-ups and tracing are part of the fun in hands-on play with letters of the alphabet.

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It's an exciting time for kids when they learn to recognize the letters in their names.

• Kids will pick out the letters in road signs or book covers.
  
  
• They'll proudly point out their names on their books or other personal items. 

You can support kids early learning with everyday activities at home or in the classroom.

Toys and props like alphabet blocks and alphabet books will add to the natural exposure to letters.

Place a set of alphabet cards where your preschooler can easily access it.

It will promote memory games, matching games and other child-led activities.

Related: Homemade set of cards with letters of the alphabet.

You can also prepare fun activities like this one with foam letters for kids to practice letter recognition.

Kids can use foam letters to spell their names or to make greeting cards or name tags.

Activities with foam letters

In this post we describe two projects you can do with foam letters.

These activities are a great start for learning to recognize and name the letters of the alphabet.

Supplies

• cardstock
• stencil
• foam letters
• pencil

You can do these activities with wooden or magnetic letters if foam letters are not available.

Each material adds a different sensory experience to the activity.

Activity #1 - Spell your name

 Make name tags using a stencil and self-adhesive letters.

1. Stencil the letters of your name onto a label.

2. Find the letters in your name on a sheet of self-adhesive foam letters.

• For younger children, you can stencil each name onto the tag beforehand, and provide the corresponding letters.

Label personal belongings, a cubby, or artwork with the name tag.

Activity #2 - Spell the word

 Make a set of cards with large letters and colorful pictures.

1. Cut 5-1/2 in. (14 cm.) squares from card stock.

2. Glue a colorful picture to each card.

3. Stencil the letters onto the cards. After stenciling, highlight the letters with a marker or crayon.

4. Laminate the cards with contact paper for durability.

Kids can help make the cards: choose pictures from magazines or catalogs, glue pictures to the cardstock with a glue stick; stencil letters onto the cardstock.

You can prepare the materials ahead of time for younger children.

Whatever the age or skill level, kids especially love seeing the letters that form their names, and they enjoy simple matching games. 

Activities like these promote letter recognition in ways that are both fun and engaging, and benefit early literacy skills.

Learning Through Play

1. Match the Letters

Place a set of cards on the table that spell the child's name. Put alphabet letters in a 'feely' bag. Draw a letter from the bag and match it to one of the letters in the name.

For small group play, the child may pass the letter on to another child who identifies that letter in his or her name.

2. Letter Sounds

Place alphabet letters on the table. Make the sound of the letter T. Children try to pick out the letter T. Think of other words that begin with the letter T. You can also use visuals such as pictures or objects to match sounds.

3. Song #1: I Want to Eat Apples and Bananas 

Provide each of the children with a "vowel" printed on a large card. As you sing each verse, the children can hold up their cards with the letter corresponding to the vowel sound you are emphasizing.

4. Song #2 B-I-N-G-O

Provide cards with the letters face up on the table. Turn a card over to eliminate a letter as you sing. Substitute a clap for a letter until you are only clapping and no letters are being displayed.

Literacy Activities on Pinterest