The single best predictor of first-year reading achievement is the child’s knowledge of and the ability to recognize and name the upper- and lower- case letters of the alphabet (Adams, 1990; Honig, 1996; Riley, 1996). Stahl (1997) found that knowledge is still the strongest predictor of reading success in fourth grade. A child with automatic, accurate recognition of letters will have an easier time learning about letter sounds and word spellings than a child who does not know the letters of the alphabet.

Recognition of letters can be taught by encouraging children to distinguish shapes and case by manipulating magnetic letters, reading labels, recognizing familiar names, and distinguishing one letter character from another by special features.

It is beneficial to use engaging ways to help the children identify the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters.

This activity is a great way to practice upper and lower case letters while training the gross motor skills!

Steps:

1. Draw upper/lowercase letters (A's / B's etc.) on several ping-pong balls

2. Have the child stand on a chair and drop the balls into baskets (placed on the floor below) with the corresponding letter case (all uppercase balls in the 'uppercase' marked basket)

3. Prior to dropping the ball in, ask your child to repeat the letter and case out loud