Toddler Programs Chapter
By Miranda Bauer and WyLaina Hildreth
Alphabet Do-Si-Do
- Books to Share
- Nametag
- Songs
- Flannel Boards
- Crafts
- Games and Activities
- Books to Display or Booktalk
- Bulletin Board
- Displays
- Audio Recordings
- Web Sites
- Professional Resources
Books to Share
Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
So Many Bunnies: A Bedtime ABC and Counting Book by Rick Walton.
A, My Name is Alice by Jane Bayer.
Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC by June Sobel.
Nametag
Give the children die-cut letters of the alphabet for nametags. Write the children’s name on the letter their name begins with. For example, write the “Adam” on an “A.”
Songs
Sing the “ABC Song.”
Flannel Boards
Letter Role Call
Cut out two sets of letters from flannel and pass them out to the children as they come into the room. Make sure every child has at least one letter. Recite the following line for each letter, and ask the children to say it with you. When the child’s letter is called, they come up and place the letter on the flannel board. Continue through the entire alphabet.
A, a. Who has the A?
B, b. Who has the B?
Crafts
ABC Pasta Bracelet
Make the “Alphabet Noodle Bracelet” craft at About.com Family Crafts at http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blalphabrace.htm.
Games and Activities
Sand Letters
Fill a baking dish halfway with sand. Show the children how to write letters in the sand with a finger and allow them to take turns writing letters with their fingers in the sand.
Books to Display or Booktalk
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert.
ABC Mystery by Doug Cushman.
Alpha Bugs by David Carter.
Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh.
Bulletin Board
Cover the board in a basic color of paper or cloth. Add letters of the alphabet made from different materials. For example, attach letters such as a wooden “A”, or a “B” made from foam. Place the letters at a level the toddlers can reach so they can touch and feel. Give the toddlers coloring sheets with all the letters of the alphabet. Let them color the letter that is at the beginning of their first name. Decorate the rest of the board with these coloring sheets. Letter coloring sheets are available at DLTK’s Growing Together at http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/index.html.
Displays
Make a display with objects which start with each letter of the alphabet. For example, place a puppet of a bug or a ball next to the letter “B.” Objects to include can be found online at Oriental Trading Company at http://www.orientaltrading.com/.
Audio Recordings
Alphabet Jam Songs & Rhymes to Build Early Reading Skills by Cathy Bollinger.
Web Sites
Alphabet Noodle Bracelet Craft
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blalphabrace.htm
Make a simple noodle bracelet using these easy instructions.
DLTK’s Alphabuddies Alphabet Activities
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/index.html
This web site contains letter coloring sheets that you can print out.
Professional Resources
American Library Association: Every Child Ready to Read
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/ecrr/ecrrhomepage.cfm
This web site contains information on pre-literacy skills and letter recognition.
Everything Preschool: Alphabet
http://www.everythingpreschool.com/alphabet/index.htm
This web site contains games and activities along with book suggestions for toddlers and preschoolers about letters and letter recognition.
First School: Alphabet Preschool Activities and Crafts
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabet.htm
A web site for preschool teachers that contains lesson plans, games, activities, and printable copies of the letters.
Preschool Express: Preschool Alphabet Activities
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/alphabet_station.shtml
This web site contains printable versions of the alphabet in uppercase and lowercase.