How to Teach Letters of the Alphabet to Preschoolers: Why We Need to Teach Smarter - NOT Harder

👉 FREE guide on how to teach letters of the alphabet: www.pre-kpages.com/how-to-tea...
✨ Learn about my membership program here: bit.ly/teachingtrailblazers
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One of the biggest challenges teachers face with teaching the alphabet is getting the letters to stick.
You spend weeks teaching, following your curriculum, doing everything by the book. Everything seems to be going great - the kiddos are getting it! And then...
Poof! They forget all of it! As if you’ve never even mentioned it before! Has this ever happened to you? Because it’s happened to me plenty of times.
When I was a young student teacher, I had an opportunity to shadow a kindergarten teacher following the Letter of the Week curriculum. Remember-this was a long time ago, so back then, it was considered a perfectly suitable way of teaching children the alphabet.
And after just several weeks of working there, it became clear just how ineffective this method was. The kids struggled to retain what they’ve learned, and some didn’t know any letters whatsoever!
Luckily, these days we know better!
Children do NOT learn the alphabet linearly, from A to Z. It is a global process that requires a lot more than rigid schedules, worksheets, and a funny letter P-themed costume.
So in this episode, I will share an excellent method for teaching children the alphabet, which is fun, effective, and backed by research.
Let’s dive in!
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Key Takeaways:
00:00 Why the letters of the alphabet CAN’T be taught in 26 days (or even weeks)?
00:41 The biggest challenge teachers face when teaching young children the alphabet
02:19 How I learned firsthand that the Letter of the Week curriculum is highly ineffective
04:42 Why teachers need to teach smarter and not harder?
06:18 How do young children learn to identify letters?
08:20 How to teach letters of the alphabet in a way that’s, fun, effective, and backed by research
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Additional Resources:
💠 Visit our website to find tons of pre-K teaching resources here:
www.pre-kpages.com/
💠 Get my book “Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers” here:
www.pre-kpages.com/teach-smar...
💠 Learn more about my membership program “Teaching Trailblazers” here: bit.ly/teachingtrailblazers
💠 Get my FREE guide on how to teach letters of the alphabet to young children here:
www.pre-kpages.com/how-to-tea...
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Elevating Early Childhood is an early education podcast dedicated to helping Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten teachers teach better, save time, and live more.
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Onward & Upward! 🙌
#vanessalevin #prekpages #teachsmarter

[@thecraftypreschooler8263]

okay i have been a preschool teacher for the past 21yrs.....how did i just find you. You are amazing

[@PreKPagesvideos]

I'm so glad you found me! Nice to meet you!

[@maggyme3]

This is also why I want to homeschool ! Not everyone who is teaching our kids is on the same page and then categorize kids early on… this happened to me as a child

[@Jessicac1985]

I loved this video. My 2 year old learned most of his letters in about 3 weeks because I made each letter meaningful to him! Each letter represents either someone in his life or something he was passionate about. He loves learning letters. I wish I would have known this method sooner with my other children.

[@dallisnovelli5364]

Yes, I did a lot of writing workshop in K and anchored letters to things they wanted to know!

[@tolulopefashae4732]

This is so true 👍. Thank you for sharing Vanessa.

[@pramillakarnad7667]

Loved it! I was just mulling how to start the alphabets with my 3 year old granddaughter! Thank you . 😊

[@TheNarrowPath40]

I am a teacher of middle school. However, I taught my five year old to read. I taught her the sounds of each letter first. Each time she saw a letter she would say its sound. Then I started to teach the names of the letters after she stated putting CVC words together. And the letter names became very easy for her.

[@virtual7insanity]

my 2.5 years old knows most of the sounds of the letters and some names of them too! 5 years olds are reading

[@chynasshafritos]

I learned more from you which makes me a great teacher. Thank you

[@sheiladunnell3942]

LOVE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU ARE SHARING WITH US. GREAT IDEALS

[@lisavolante6063]

Thank you for all of your information and great ideas!

[@myesltalk]

This is the most helpful lesson I've learned as a teacher.

[@veenakhosla838]

Love you and your products. Huge fan of yours!

[@checheperez237]

Thank you for sharing all best idea for kids to learn.

[@helenvinasoy4532]

Thank you for sharing your strategies

[@earlychildhoodeducation9754]

Thanks a lot. I am trying putting letters in songs and it actually work.

[@shahinazshohdy2679]

This is awesome! I’m learning a lot from your videos, I wish I could find these teaching materials in French!

[@shahinazshohdy2679]

Thank you so much for these tips!

[@ruthahamad7777]

You are such a blessing, I’m a grandmother I have worked in a school for 20 years, not as a teacher but as a safety officer I’ve stopped by many class rooms through the years to listen in, and every teacher has taught the very way, you explain not to I see right away the strategy you give is an excellent way of teaching for the children. Thank you so very much for making your teaching skills available to everyone ❤️

[@tyrone6820]

She didn’t say anything but “make it meaningful, and they learn at they’re own pace” sit down

[@workin4alivin585]

OMG, the first three years I taught, I followed the curriculum A-Z. When I saw how ineffectual (and boring) it was, I started teaching letters starting with their names, my name, and the name of the month. Once they made the connection of the abstract concept of these line shapes with their names, they could apply it to other things as well and we were off to the races! Been doing it ever since. Principals/administrators can be really addicted to curriculums. They get scared something will be missed. I'm here to tell you, all kids will learn all the letters over time (though low-usage letters like Q take longer, and become like sight words). Thank you for affirming my teacher gut instinct. I just got a new administrator who wants me to follow the curriculum (and have my 3-yr. olds do two papers a day!), and I'm going to present the research to her.

[@nafisa7883]

Every word you said is absolutely true I am teaching 3+since last 14 years ,I wish i had someone like you to help me understand things initially, I had tough time each day exactly like the new teacher you mentioned . I am surely going to download your material and make the most of it by sharing it with other teachers, thank you so much for making such an informative video

[@zoie36959]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@stephaniereeves6330]

Love this idea!

[@symone9224]

I’m only a FTM of a 2 yr old , and this was VERY knowledgeable and helpful. I was going from A-Z, but has since started with the first letter in her first name and she’s learning other letters now randomly , esp from your tip.. things she likes, fav food, juice, fruit, etc. Thanks a lot, from a single mom trying my hardest 😊

[@carmencarter6667]

I love this 😀 it really helped me

[@mrs.candysprekoolsweeties7143]

Thank you

[@MrsGetOverYourself]

Very helpful, thank you! I’m teaching a pre-k class beginning April (taking over for a teacher that was let go) and 90% of the class doesn’t know the alphabet 🤦🏻‍♀️ (teacher lied about progress and now these poor kids have to cram with me to hopefully make the connections to letters). This school I’m at is also very dated, while undergoing changes/updates, but they still teach as if it’s the 90’s (I.e. letters of the week) so maybe that’s why this class isn’t getting it yet… 🤷🏻‍♀️ I think it makes perfect sense for kids to find the meaning, for themselves, in what they’re learning, and I appreciate the tips here!

[@PreKPagesvideos]

I can relate so much to your situation. I agree, if your students have been taught with LOTW then that explains a lot. I wish you the best of luck!

[@MelissaGarcia-hi6nw]

I see a lot of teacher videos and I really love yours the best. Thank you for everything. Melissa Garcia A pre- k teacher

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@ccc919]

This is great. Do you have more ideas of how to make it meaningful?

[@Life-zb2mz]

Your video's have helped me so much!! Thank you! I have no budget at my school this so I am all out of pocket. Printing and laminating everything at home. I am not seeing this amazing bundle from your video on your website? Can you help point me in the right direction pls. TIA

[@jovellybolando9025]

Hi I am filipina I am teaching assistant here in Dubai I learned a lot from your vedio. Thank you ❤

[@Giggyeight]

Anong agency mo mam?

[@cecilialawan3370]

love it..tnxs mch

[@mariee.5912]

My son learned the letters by having a chart at home. At work, I start with the child learning to spell their names.

[@saracruz2076]

I have found teaching the ABC's video very helpful.

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@pramillakarnad7667]

Where & how do i download your material?

[@sheiladunnell3942]

I don't see the link for the book

[@farzanaimtinan4583]

You are really amazing

[@RH-dk9md]

I love your videos and website so helpful!! I’m homeschooling my 5 year old and have a question. I’ve been using your alphabet ideas and just doing alphabet recognition, playing with upper and lower case letters but I’m not teaching the letter names/sounds yet. When you’re not teaching the sounds/letter names how do you “talk”. Example - you’re playing the fly swat game - do you show a picture of a letter and say can you swat this letter or do you show the picture and say can you swat the letter “p” ? How long approx are you playing with alphabet letters before teaching sounds/names of the letters? Thanks

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Great question! You can submit your question to me here: www.pre-kpages.com/listen Click on the big orange button.

[@teresamalinao9752]

Where's the link. I'm so glad I find you

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Links to everything mentioned in my videos can be found in the video description box. If you're on mobile, click on the 3 little dots just below the video to open the box. Here's the link to this freebie www.pre-kpages.com/how-to-teach-the-alphabet/

[@gandakho7562]

i am your fan..

[@lynettethebrunette8969]

Hi I just came across your channel a few weeks ago and am trying to catch up on all videos....I came across your ABC center and love the car idea (writing on small cars) but I have looked and looked for the letter roads that are free and cannot find them....I"ve looked on your store, in more videos and your prek pages website....Do you still have them? I don't mind paying for them.

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Sure, here you go! www.pre-kpages.com/alphabet-freebie-bundle/

[@smstrnadss]

Amen

[@kimberlisutherland2631]

I love watching your videos. Curious do you use Canva to make your videos...EX. the bubbles and post-it notes...so cute!!

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Thanks for thinking I have tech skills :) We have a team member who does the video editing.

[@beccaborras3292]

Thank you so much for this… it makes so much sense, but why is that schools do not follow this method when it makes so much sense?

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Great question! I wish I knew the answer to that one!

[@user-jz8ff4wc8r]

My name:Nkongho Frida Arrey :thanks very much for been there i will to be part of you

[@ytlam2656]

Hi, I came across your site and I am so interested in gaining knowledge in teaching 2 to 3 years old. I changed my career to become a preschool teacher in an old age and I am looking for area I can improve myself in many ways. Appreciate if you can give me some help.

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Developmental Milestones: 2 years - www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html 3 years - www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-3yr.html

[@vinuthavinu1787]

Hi it's the funny thing whn I thought abt colours

[@user-jz8ff4wc8r]

My name:Nkongho Frida Arrey

[@JN-go2yq]

Remember holistic teaching: learn to write the letters, in sand, water. Have a pirate week. Learn 2 letters each week.