An essential component of literacy acquisition is alphabet recognition, which involves letter shape recognition, letter-name knowledge, letter-sound knowledge and rapid-letter naming. Alphabet recognition, specifically letter naming, has historically been used as an indicator of future reading achievement (Snow et al., 1998).

Numerous studies have proven that a child’s knowledge of letters is a strong predictor of his/her success in learning to read (Bond & Dykstra, 1967; Share, Jorm, McClean & Matthew, 1987; Adams, 1990). Scanlon & Vellutino (1996) further revealed that letter knowledge was as strong a predictor on its own as other predictors combined. In fact, “reading scores in tenth grade can be predicted with surprising accuracy based on a child’s knowledge of the alphabet in kindergarten” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003).

Practice letter/ number recognition in a fun way - every day!

Steps:

1.  Print a sheet with 10 identical shapes on the same page

2. Write a letter or numeral on each picture, and make a copy for each child

3. Children will pull a number or letter card from a stack (or roll a game die), find that letter/numeral on their mat, and stamp it out

4. You can use rubber stamps or bingo dot markers or you can have children draw an “X” over the picture