Learning the Alphabet Letters
How Many Should Preschoolers Know?
How Many Letters Should Children Know by the
End of Preschool?
As a preschool literacy teacher, one question I often get is, “How many letters should children actually know?” It’s an important question, and one we often hear different answers to, especially since we know that children develop at their own unique pace and in various ways. But what does the research actually reveal? Is there a magic number for success? The answer is YES!
What the Research Says About How Many Letters to Know
Now, onto the big question: how many letters should preschoolers know by the time they head to kindergarten? Although there’s limited research on this question, a longitudinal study published in 2010 by a notable group of researchers followed 371 preschool children in public preschool programs. The study looked at the children's knowledge of both uppercase and lowercase letters at the completion of preschool. They found that by the end of preschool, knowing 18 uppercase and 15 lowercase letters was optimal for predicting future reading success.
Interestingly, the study also found that knowing at least 10 letters significantly lowered the risk of future reading difficulties. While this isn’t a magic number, it gives us a solid benchmark to aim for in early literacy education. See the study below. Why does alphabetic knowledge matter? "Alphabet knowledge is consistently recognized as the strongest, most durable predictor of later literacy achievement," (Jones, Cindy D. & Reutzel, D.R. (2012)), making it VITAL that we prioritize this skill and follow research-based practices that are FUN and MEANINGFUL for our preschool children.
Development Varies, but Repetition is Key
It’s true that children grow at different rates, and they might not all learn letters in the same order. In fact, research proves this to be true. Children learn the alphabet in a variety of rates and orders, proving that there is no perfect order for teaching the alphabet. However, while there is no perfect order for learning the alphabet, we do know one this...repetition matters!
Based on research on how the brain learns, we know that children must receive repeated exposure to the alphabet over time. When children are repeatedly exposed to the alphabet in engaging, meaningful ways, they tend to absorb that knowledge much more easily. Play-based learning and explicit instruction that connects to real life is KEY! Join Alphabet Academy for our exact approach to teaching the alphabet that follow the research!
If you’re wondering how to best introduce the alphabet, I’ve got two helpful posts for you. THIS POST dives into introducing the using a research-focused approach, and THIS POST explains how to use letter cycles, an engaging way to expose children to the alphabet across different age groups. Letter cycles take advantage of repetition and personal connection! Check them out.
What About Letter Sounds?
Research has shown that alphabetic knowledge is a key indicator of future reading success. We know the magic number for letter names, but what about letter sounds? Although we haven’t found a study that pinpoints the “optimal” number of letter sounds preschoolers should know, we do know that letter sounds are critical for future reading success. The science of reading shows that children need both explicit phonics instruction and strong decoding skills in order to become strong readers. Letter sounds are a crucial part of learning the alphabet in preschool, and should be taught alongside the letter names.
Neglecting to teach letter sounds can have a significant negative impact on young children's abilities to learn the letter names and be well-prepared for the future of learning to read. Be sure to reach out if you are looking for more information about teaching letter sounds, and check out our flashcards below!
When Children Struggle with Learning Letters
It’s not uncommon for some children to struggle with letter recognition, and this is where targeted intervention becomes crucial. The first step is always assessment. Regularly evaluating what your students know through letter recognition assessments helps you identify where they need the most support. If you notice gaps, focus on phonological awareness and systematic phonics instruction. Research suggests that focusing on both letter names and sounds in a consistent and explicit manner helps solidify understanding. If you do not have a form of assessment, our MILESTONE CHARTS provide a benchmark for alphabetic knowledge learning, as well as simple activities to try.
Intervention Strategies
Here are some proven strategies for children who struggle with learning letters:
1. Multi-sensory Learning: Incorporate multiple senses in your teaching. For example, have children trace letters in sand, use magnetic letters, and body motions for each letter name and sound. Engaging tactile and visual senses can make a big difference for struggling learners.
2. Phonological Awareness Activities: Strengthening phonological skills—like identifying rhymes, clapping out syllables, or playing sound-matching games—can boost letter-sound connections. Phonemic awareness is also KEY! Incorporate sound boxes and blending sounds together auditorily into your literacy block.
3. Daily, Systematic Instruction: Teaching letters in an explicit, step-by-step process ensures that children get repeated exposure to letters and sounds, which is critical for those struggling. Continuously review previously learned letters while incorporating new ones.
4. Storybook and Alphabet Activities: Integrating books and games related to letters in a fun and engaging way provides meaningful context for learning the alphabet. Connect to the children's words, focusing on names and tying in activities and toys that interest the children.
Don’t Sit Back - TAKE ACTION!
It’s important not to delay if a child consistently struggles despite engaging with these strategies. Sitting back and waiting may not only delay their learning, but also risk deepening their difficulties. It’s essential to take proactive steps, such as adjusting your teaching methods, involving specialists, or increasing the intensity of instruction. Early intervention has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to ensure future success, both in reading and broader academic skills.
Remember, challenges early on in learning the alphabet do not necessarily mean the child has a learning disability. It simply signals the need for a tailored teaching approach that matches their learning style. By recognizing the challenge early and adjusting instruction, we can help prevent future struggles and set children up for long-term success.
For more ideas, feel free to visit THIS POST, which shows a specific letter sound intervention.
Take the Leap with Alphabet Academy!
If you’re ready to dive deeper into research-based strategies for teaching the alphabet, we’re thrilled to introduce Alphabet Academy, a self-guided online course. This course will walk you through everything you need to know about teaching the alphabet effectively, from research to implementation, and will provide you with all the tools you need to ensure your students’ success.
Looking for even more support?
Research-Based Curriculums that take the guesswork out of teaching!
Check out Moving Little Minds Literacy Curriculums!
Learn how we teach alphabetic knowledge, phonological awareness, and pre-writing skills through instruction and play! NOTE: The curriculum follows the alphabet introduction orders mentioned above
Grab our Free Resources!
Don't miss an update from Moving Little Minds! SUBSCRIBE HERE!
We believe that every child deserves a bright future, and this begins with a strong foundation in early literacy skills. At Moving Little Minds, we are dedicated to providing research-based literacy activities in fun and engaging ways! By merging instruction with play, we ensure that children are reaching their full potential and embark on their educational journey well-prepared for the future! Let's build those KEY emergent literacy skills together.
Commenti