Teach your Toddler the Alphabet
Alphabet Tracing Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Alphabet tracing is one of the best ways for toddlers and preschoolers to practice the alphabet, learn how to write, and practice their fine motor skills. Below are some of our favorite alphabet tracing activities.
Write a letter with a yellow marker and then trace it in black
I learned this one from Edison’s preschool teacher. She writes the alphabet letter with a yellow marker on white paper. Then, he just traces it with another color. This is an especially good way for children to sign greeting cards.
This is one of my favorite ways for Edison to practice alphabet tracing because it also keeps him entertained while he is waiting for dinner. I just give him a pencil and he traces the letters until dinner is ready. I keep a wet wipe handy and he just wipes it off as I set down his plate. As with everything like this, I got mine for cheap at Amazon.com.
Cover a chalk board with chalk and use your finger to write the letter
Hold a piece of chalk sideways and use it to coat a chalkboard. Then, use your finger to draw letters of the alphabet. Give your child the chalk and have them trace the letters. When they have finished, just use the chalk to scribble over it and do it again. From the WildEdisons.com post: Toddler Alphabet Tracing Activity.
Trace letters on signs
Any sign with big letters that is within their reach presents a good alphabet tracing opportunity. Obviously, they would use their finger instead of a writing utensil, but the principle is the same. I like garage sale signs and sale signs at grocery stores.
Use the Wipe Clean Letters Alphabet Tracing Book
This book is fantastic for practicing alphabet tracing. We have had it since he was a toddler, but he still uses it as a preschooler. The book has heavy cardboard pages where my son can trace the letters and then wipe them off. I keep the marker on a shelf where he can’t reach it, but happily bring it down every time he wants to use it (which is a lot). He will trace the letter on each page. When he is finished, I give him a baby wipe to clean the pages. (In the past, I have had issues with wipe-off books getting stained if you leave marker on it for a long time. We would rather be safe than sorry. Plus, he enjoys the act of cleaning up the alphabet tracing pages.) The last I checked, you could still get this at a discount on Amazon.com.
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Don’t Read to Your Toddler…Read WITH Your Toddler
We all know that reading to our toddlers is one of the best ways to improve language and develop pre-reading skills, but there is so much more you can do than just reading the words on the page.
Read Along with your Finger
If your toddler is like mine, their eyes are attracted to movement. Although my little boy doesn’t follow word for word, he will definitely look when I emphasize a word by pointing at it emphatically.
Match Words to Pictures
If you read the word “bear” and there happens to be a picture of a bear on the page, take a second to point to it. Not only will your toddler start to understand that there is a connection between written words and objects, but they will also learn to associate specific words with things.
Get your Toddler Involved
Ask your toddler to look for objects in the pictures. Talk about the story and try to relate it to an experience they had first-hand. “They are having a picnic. Do you remember when we went on a picnic?” Ask your toddler what they think will happen next or how a character might be feeling about a situation. “Do you think the dog is sad?”
Hunt for Alphabet Letters
For some reason, my toddler loves the letters “O” and “S”. Whether prompted or not, he will happily point out all of those letters on the page no matter how small the type. Hunting for letters is a great way to practice the alphabet with your toddler.
Let your Toddler Choose the Books
Sure, you may find yourself reading the same book over and over again for nights on end, but there is a reason your toddler loves it. They will be more engaged in books that interest them. Plus, memorization can help toddlers learn to read sooner. Of course, it is good to expand their horizons every now and again. We normally read two books before bed, one that our toddler chooses and one that we chose. Sometimes, our book becomes his new favorite.
Read to your Toddler Slowly
Your toddler will get a lot more from reading if you slow it down a bit. Their brains can process to stories and words better and they will have a chance to process what you are reading.
Make Reading to your Toddler Fun
Speak enthusiastically and use different voices for different characters. Your toddler will pick up on your excitement and they will WANT to read with you.
For other tips on reading to your toddler, check out: How To Make Books Come Alive With Your Toddler
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Drawing with Your Toddler…When You Don’t Know How to Draw
Drawing and toddlers go hand-in-hand. It is a great way to work on vocabulary, practice sight words, and teach them appreciation for creative arts. The problem is, we aren’t all Picasso’s.
If you have little or no artistic skill, the key to drawing with your toddler is cheating. Yep. Cheating.
Simply find yourself a children’s book on drawing. I say children’s book because there are generally fewer steps and simpler, cartoon style drawings. We aren’t aiming for still life’s in oil here. The goal is to be able to draw a simple picture that your toddler can recognize.
I love the How to Draw 101… series. The instructions are really easy and the end result is actually pretty good. I use “How to Draw 101 Animals” about every other day with my toddler. (I, regrettably, paid full price on an impulse buy at a retail store. I recommend clicking here to buy it at a discount through Amazon.com.)
Sometimes, he chooses a picture. I draw it and write the name under it. When he wants to watch a movie, I write three titles on the chalkboard with a little picture of an animal from the movie next to it so he can choose. Sometimes, we choose a letter of the alphabet and draw a bunch of animals that start with that letter. I am not joking. I use these books all the time!
Not only does my son think I can draw, but I am actually learning how to as I practice.
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Alpha-Ball Alphabet Activity
Edison and I discovered this alphabet activity together. We were going through our grown-up games trying to think of ways that a child could play with them when we came upon our Scattergories game.
Obviously, he is too young to play the real game, but it happens to come with a 20 sided die with alphabet letters on it.
My son rolls the die across the floor, tells me the letter, and we try to think of something that starts with that letter. He gets to burn some energy, practice his alphabet and phonics, while I make dinner or pick up. A good time for all.
Check out the video below to see my little man in action.
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Magazine Scavenger Hunt
Grab those magazines from the recycling bin and get ready to go on an alphabet hunt.
What you Need for this Toddler Activity…
* Old Magazines
* Index Cards
How you Do It…
Write each letter of the alphabet on an index card. (You can also use a cup of alphabet magnets, etc.) Have the child select a letter. Then let them find the letter or things that start with that letter in the magazine.
Taking it a Step Further…
Narrow the activity down to one letter and help them make a collage of their scavenger hunt finds.
Tips…
* If you are focusing on upper-case letters, try fashion magazines. Often, they have a lot of big, bold, headlines that are all upper-case.
