Tips on teaching a 4 year old her ABC's--She recites them very well, just can't remember what they look like.

Question

My soon to be 4 year old daughter is a very intelligent little girl always has been. She talked very early, was potty trained early and carries on conversations like an adult (people say she is 4 going on 21) however in the last month or so I have been trying to teach her how to write and recongnize her ABC's-since she has been able to recite them since she was 2 I thought this would be easy. But she does really well with writing them, but not so well when it comes to recongnizing them. It is like she has no interest in it what so ever. All she wants to do is sing the alphabet song and write her ABC's. I have tried several attempts. Each time she writes one I have her say the letter over and over. But then as soon as she is finished I ask her to tell me what letter she is writing and she completly locks up? What should I do?

Answer 1

I have found the Leapfrog movies good as an aid in teaching my son his letters and how to read. My son knew his letters (recognized them) before we got the first video Letter Factory but it did help him learn their sounds with the catchy songs. Some kids just have an interest in those things and others don't. I wouldn't try and force it on her it will come when she is ready. But as she's writing them just continue to say their names and eventually she will pick it up. My kid has always been into letters and reading so for him he did it on his own he knew his letters by 19 mos. and by 21 he knew their sounds. He's now 3 and is reading and writing. I always followed his lead and his interest. My daughter does not have as much interest in books but does know the sounds the letters make because of her brother and watching the leapfrog video with him. She knows the sounds but only recognizes about half the letters .. so go figure.

Also the LeapFrog fridge magnets are great for letters and sounds also.

Answer 2

My niece is 2 1/2 and knows all her abc's and numbers up to 20 in english and 10 in spanish. The way that we worked with her was everyday right before nap time, I would sit with her in a chair and sing the abcs and then start counting also. She soon would catch on and sing along. She is so used to it that we have to do both of them at least once a day now. She also has a large collection of the leap frog toys which almost all sing the alphabet and/or say numbers. She has picked up a lot off of these toys. Leap frog also makes a couple of movies and one of them is about the letter factory. It is a really good movie as it goes through the alphabet and teaches the sound of each letter with different songs. We watch this movie a lot here as it is very colorful and easy for a 2 year old to keep their focus on. Also Baby Einstein makes a large collection of movies and things that go over shapes and colors. I think they do letters and numbers to but I am not positive on that one.

Answer 3

You're pushing too hard... that's why she clams up. Learning the alphabet takes time... recognition of the letters is difficult, and she WILL get it eventually. You are on the right path, just tweak your method a little. Instead of drilling her, make it a game. When you are driving, see who can find the letter "T" on a sign first. When you go into a store, have her find foods/items with a specific letter on them. This will help her to build her recognition skills without being drilled. When she feels pressured to get it right (she doesn't want to disappoint you) she will shut down when she thinks she may give a wrong answer. If you make recognizing the letters a game, the pressure is off. As for writing them... does she write letters on her own, of her own volition, or are you having her trace them? Tracing is good for technique and form, but letting her write them on her own is better. Say you have to go to a doctor's office (or other place where a lot of waiting is involved)... bring along a small note pad and pen and allow her to copy letters she sees around her (on magazines, on plaques on the wall, etc). Even at the grocery store... bring your list of needed items and have her help you cross them off. This will also help build the concept that letters put together can equal words, which have a special meaning. Even if she is writing complete gibberish, comment on how proud you are of her "writing". If she sees that you value her efforts (instead of just the product) she will be more willing to push on until she gets it.

Answer 4

There are many different learning techniques, hands on, orally or through seeing. We all learn differently and are able to get some things quicker than others. Hang the letters around the house, incorporate letters into every activity. When eating discuss what each food starts with for example. Use the dotted letters. Find games to play or make up songs. Get the foam letters for the bathtub. Point out letter when driving. And Read to her as often as possible.

Answer 5

Go to an educational supply store and get something called an alphabet chart (they should be able to help you there.) The alphabet chart has each letter printed (lower and upper case) and a picture of something that starts with the letter. EVERY day, go through the chart. You say each letter twice while pointing to the letter, than point to the picture and say the picture, for example, A-A-apple, then have your daughter repeat it, touching the chart letters and picture. After awhile, she should have it.

Answer 6

If you have flash cards(if you don't, get or make some)
and create a game with them. Let her show them to you and let you (figure out) which letter it is. Don't tell her wrong, but make her think that she sometimes has to help you. Then you take a turn and show them to her. Give her time to answer before you tell her, but if she gets stuck tell her and then go on to the next. Make it fun!! At first just play a short time and add a few minutes until she is ready to play longer periods of time.

Answer 7

my daughter can point out the letters but cant same most of them(she's 17 months) try getting the Leap Frog movie Letters Factory...also Word's Factory 1&2 they are great!

Answer 8

Leap Frog works well with my daughter who is also 4 years old. Try the magnetics for the fridge. She will have fun.

Answer 9

Don't fret too much. Start with just the letters in her name just to interest her.

Answer 10

try abc's on this site it makes them more interesting and its a freebie it makes it fun