I need some advice on how to get my son to learn his abc's.?

Question

We have tryed games, flash cards, ect. And we dont have headstart in our area. What to do????

Answer 1

As a Kindergarten teacher I can tell you that most of the kids come to my class not knowing the letters or sounds. Most of them can sing their ABC's, but they don't associate the letter with the song.

I would recommend practicing the song and reading books about the ABC's. I love the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr."

Also checkout www.starfall.com
I use this in my ABC computer center
Go to ABC's and it teaches each individual letter and sounds.

Answer 2

Don't worry so much about your child memorizing the alphabet. Even if he doesn't know the names of the letters, you can teach him the sounds first. For example, you show him a mop (preferably a real one instead of a picture, because the use of realia or real, actual things is very helpful) and then you can ask him "what's the beginning sound of mop? Emphasize the sound and he can memorize the names later. Also, create a literate environment for your child. You can do this by labeling things at home - drawers, TV, Toys, Computer, etc. Even if he doesn't read yet, he will soon recognize these words on his own and associate them with the sounds you make when you say them. My nephew who's not even two years old can do this. He doesn't really know the letters yet, but he recognizes some words because he sees them all the time. I know it could be a challenge at times but it's really worth it. Good luck.

Answer 3

read an abc book every day...can read the same one for a month...there are lots of great ones in the library or bookstore my favorites are Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Curious George learns the alphabet
magnetic letters on the refrigerator...build first name and name the letters as you build then go on to other words
several different abc songs
sort letter cards or magnetic letters...put up several of 2 different letters and have him sort into 2 groups by name
there are so many ways to help the child...just keep trying lots of different ones and when you find one that he likes and learns something then keep doing it
a big chalk or dry erase board where he can write them from a model you write or from a magnetic letter
paint letters on the sidewalk with water and a brush or use sidewalk chalk
just make it fun...laugh and play a lot

Answer 4

Young children learn by simple things,... ryhmes, songs, etc... and practice, practice, practice... How old is your son? Does he respond well to positive reinforcement? I believe that most children do, at any age... reward any effort to learn... stickers are a good way to do this, make a chart... set aside a certain amount of time each day and play with your son singing the ABC song!
Have him start to learn to write the letters... make a play day with arts and crafts using just one letter at a time... A is for Apple, B is for Bell... C is for Cat...etc... It can be fun for him and you wlll enjoy the fun time you can spend with him.... when he gets a certain amount acomplished, like three or four in a row, then a little outing to celebrate with him would be a fun idea!

Answer 5

I remember my mother having the same problem with my little brother. Then we started singing the alpphabet song. That did it! He learned the song much easier than just sayintg A. B. C. etc.
He might not really associate the song with the letters as first, but get him to just learn the song. It won't take long,, kids learn those songs pretty quickly. And baring any sort of learning curve disability, start using the song in conjuction with pointing out the letters as you go along. Soon he'll get the idea! Good Luck.

Answer 6

Make a big deal out of alphabet soup. The process is fun and
he can learn while he eats. You can sing the A B C song to him
and teach him doing it that way also. You have to be consistant
about it. You can purchase a puzzle and have him put it
together with your help until he recognizes the shapes and then
start teaching him to trace over the letters . Remember practice makes perfect!
Marie V

Answer 7

I went to headstart, when I was younger!! It was fun!! We lived like right next door, so we didn't even have to drive. But anyway, try singing the ABCs song with him. Sometimes I forget , and yeah I know that's bad because I'm in the 7th grade, but it helps when I sing it in my head.

Answer 8

Two more suggestions:

The old Big Bird song, where Big Bird thinks the alphabet is a word to be sounded out: "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ: That's the most remarkable word I've ever heard..." You and your son should try to sing along with it.

And the fabulous Dr. Seuss' ABC book, that will tickle his funny bone. ("Big U little u What begins with U? Uncle Ubb's umbrella and his underwear, too.") He won't even know what hit him.

Ditch the flashcards. They are no fun and can be stressful.

Answer 9

Most children begin recognizing some letters between the ages of 2 and 3 and can identify most letters between 4 and 5. This means that you can start teaching your child the alphabet when he's around 2 — but don't expect full mastery for some time. What's more, toddlers learn differently from older children, so don't pull out the flashcards and audiotapes just yet. Instead, rely on visual aids such as colorful alphabet picture books — your child will have a great time pointing out the letters he knows, as well as colors, shapes, animals, and other objects in the book.

The first step in teaching the alphabet is getting your child interested in listening to stories. At around age 2 or 3, children who are frequently read to get the idea that
books contain print which is made up of letters. There are lots of fun ways to introduce your child to individual letters. Sign his name to his artwork, then point out each letter one by one. Eventually he'll get the idea that those letters, put together, stand for his name. You can reinforce this identification in many ways: Alphabet letters forming his name on the door of his room, perhaps, or a toy or puzzle personalized with his name. Or help him play with alphabet puzzles or refrigerator magnets that he can manipulate. Once he recognizes a letter, play word games — "What words start with 'B'? Ball, baby, boy ..." or use the first letter of his name as the starting point — "Your special letter is 'P,' for Peter; can you think of any other 'P' words?" (Your child won't be able to write letters until he's about 4, so don't focus on teaching him to write until then.)

If he seems interested, feel free to continue helping your child learn more letters. But if he's under 4 and shows no interest, it's best to let it go for a while. No evidence suggests that very early alphabet learning is related to more advanced reading skills later on.

Of course - the singing game is always an excellent idea. That's how most children learn, but you have to expect that when you ask him to repeat - he won't be able to without singing - that's why hands on - relating letters to things that he sees everyday is much better. (I'll be you one thing - He knows the McDonald's or Burger King restaurants!) How do you think that happens? He recognizes and ASSOCIATES . Children have to have something to associate the concepts you are trying to teach them. Also, check with the Toys R Us stores. There are plenty of new video-tv oriented games that are great teachers. I would only use them AFTER I have personally worked with and taught these concepts to my child. You never want 'tv/movies/videos to be your child's only teacher - it should be used as re-inforcement, or to help "close" the gap. I teach 8th graders and you should hear them ask me to 'show them the video" of stories I want them to read. We are rearing kids who are 'learners by sight' - and they are unable to grasp these concepts and create imagery in their own minds FIRST. Good luck. I hope this helps.

Answer 10

Flash cards and memorization have been proven to be ineffective. What games are you using? First start with the letters of his name. Children care about things that are about them. After he learns his first name move to his last name. Put his name on a card somewhere in the house and have him find it, after he finds it he has to spell it(be very positive and encouraging) put a sticker on each letter that he learns in his name. Read, read, read! You can never read enough and reading to children helps them with identifying letters. Show him the cover of the book and ask him, What letters do you see in your name? Label everything in his room; his bed, his closet, his dresser, his toy box, his t.v., everything. When he asks you why, tell him because we use letters to spell and make words. Practice learning a letter a week in addition to his learning his name. Read books that start with the letter "A" for example, look for acorns, make Art, eat Apples, so on. Practice letters with art. Make it fun. After learning the letters, move on to learning the sounds for them also. Good luck!