3/15/01
Question 83
Dear Preschool Teacher,
This is my first year teaching 4 year olds. I
remember when my daughter went to preschool, they didn't learn the
alphabet in order. Can you tell me why? And what order you should
learn it in.
ABC order confused
Dear
ABC order confused,
I teach 4 year olds and taught 5 year olds. In kindergarten we
taught the letter to where they learn words by the end of
the third week. Four year olds do not have the concept of letter and
numbers in the beginning. I teach the letter in their name first. This
has more meaning to them. Than we learn the letters in the names of
their classmates. Then we go to words like colors, and shapes. By then
that begin to understand the difference between letters and numbers.
Doing the letters in order is like singing the alphabet and that does
not have meaning to them. They need things that in their life
experiences.
Doris
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear
ABC order confused,
Usually the letters are taught in the easiest to write order.
Letters with straight lines are first. Then add a few curves.
Lastly, they teach the letters that are most confusing. P, D, B
, G,and Q. These have more than one sound. The vowels are last.
But for 4 year olds , it is just a time to familiarize children with
the letters and especially those in their names. I have never
found a source that says it is better to introduce letters in any
special order.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear
ABC order confused,
Some teachers teach the alphabet in order. I happen to teach the letters to go along with my themes. For instance in September I start off with A for Apple and L for Leaves. I then move on to P for Pumpkin, S for Spiders, etc.
Peg
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear
ABC order confused,
In my preschool we teach the letters in the children's names
first. There are many projects you can do for that, and the children
learn to recognize each others names. Be sure to display a lot of
their creations!
Heide
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear
ABC order confused,
I think this is more of a preference.
I introduce the letters in order, but you could also introduce the
letters and incorporate them to your themes. (V for Valentines,
P for Police or post office, A for apple, S for space, etc.) I
plan my themes to go with my letter of the week.
Kris
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
