2/22/01
Question 69
Dear Preschool Teacher,
My daughter just turned 4 years old and I'm looking
for some fun ideas to get her to recognize the letters of the
alphabet. I'd appreciate any ideas you might have. Also
she doesn't recognize her numbers either which should I work on with
her first, numbers or letters.
Thank you,
Which came first? Letters or Numbers
Dear
Which came first? Letters or Numbers,
It doesn't make any difference which
you teach first as long as you teach them separately. Children
don't understand the difference at first. They will call them both for
a while. Try to do fun things. Form letters and numbers from
play dough. Write in the sand or a tray of salt. Write in
shaving cream on a tabletop. Trace around the letters or numbers
with lots of colors. They really like this. Call them
rainbow letters. Play "I Spy" with signs that you pass
while traveling. Have fun and don't try too much too soon.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear
Which came first? Letters or Numbers,
I teach
number recognition in my 3 year old class and wait until the 4 year
old class to teach the alphabet. If she knows neither, I would
start with number recognition. When a lot of my 4's are first
starting to learn the alphabet, they guess numbers instead of
letters for the alphabet. So I feel if they learn their
numbers really well it will be easier to distinguish between a
number or a letter.
Flash cards are always a choice.
A number book where she can count and look at numbers with you would
be fun. I have a big dice with numbers that I roll and the
kids have to tell me what number I rolled. My kids always
enjoy playing number and alphabet bingo. You can play musical
letters or numbers and when the music stops she would have to find a
letter or number, stand on it and tell you what the letter or number
is. There are also a lot of neat electronic alphabet and
numbers games to purchase.
Whatever way you choose to
start teaching her her letters or numbers repetition is the key.
They need to see these on a regular basis. If you sit down
with her one day and don't sit down for another month, she won't
remember much. Hope this helps!
Peg
"Ask The Preschool Teacher
Staff"
Dear
Which came first? Letters or Numbers,
I myself teach
the letters. I teach a 3 year old class. I first help them recognize
their name. When they can recognize their name I start teaching them
the letters that make up their name.
There are so many songs out there that you can sing with
home made visual aides. Small children love to sing and the visual
aides puts a meaning to what they are singing.
Roni
"Ask The Preschool
Teacher Staff"
Dear
Which came first? Letters or Numbers,
When I am trying to get my
kids to learn letters and numbers I use them as examples. Spell the
child's name over and over as she writes it or you write it. Put it on
the refrigerator and spell it. Next use the milk carton or the
cereal box and spell the name over and over each day. (Or other familiar
products.)
Numbers! The best way is to use them is to
turn the channel on the TV or the remote. Count everything and show
the number..
Kids learn when the letters and number are
use and make sense from everyday life.
Maureen
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
