Effective Ways to Begin To Teach Alphabet Knowledge
Start Small
Research has shown that teaching methods that use small, easily digestible chunks of information have been proven to be effective (Brophy & Everston, 1976; Ausubel, 1969).
Build Slowly
Studies have confirmed the importance of using incremental steps when teaching new information (Rosenshine & Stevens, 1986).
Name Drop
Children recognize, read and write their names earlier than they do other words (Bloodgood, 1999). This is known as the "Own-Name Advantage" (Treimen & Broderick, 1998). So, use the own-name advantage to your own advantage by teaching students the letters in their names first (Justice, Pence, Bowles & Wiggins, 2006; Villiaume & Wilson, 1989).
"Read 'Em and Reap"
To reap optimal results, children learn alphabet letters easiest when the letters appear in meaningful settings like environmental print, names, songs and nursery rhymes (Neuman, Copple & Bredekamp, 2000).
"Write-On!"
Handwriting practice helps young children learn and remember letter shapes, sounds and names (Ehri & Roberts, 2006).
Practice! Practice! Practice!
It's not only the best way to get to Carnegie Hall, but practice and review is also an excellent way to achieve mastery of alphabet knowledge (Glenberg, 1979; Reynolds & Glasser, 1964; Orstein, 1990; Mayfield & Chase, 2002).
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/2/0/26201191/6928038.jpg?81)
"When you know better, you do better."
-Maya Angelou
-Maya Angelou