Preschool at home is a great way to get focused learning time with your child. This alphabetical order hands-on activity takes our introduction of the alphabet activity from Preschool Day 1, and breaks it apart-literally!
I always try to use simple free or cheap supplies first. If I can’t find a good set of supplies, I then go out and buy simple supplies from the local discount or craft store. The alphabetical order activity we do here is an example of using what you have. Kids learn even when you do not spend a lot of money!
I share how to make this activity for preschool at home, and our simple preschool at home schedule. This is just a guide. You can adjust for your family.
Alphabetical Order Hands-On Activity
Supplies:
Alphabet poster made on Preschool Day 1.
zip top baggie
We reviewed the letters on our alphabetical order poster made on Preschool at Home: Day 1. Sing the alphabet song while pointing to each letter as you sing it.
This emphasizes literacy skills, letter identification, and letter order.
Now, we are going to take it all apart!
Using the alphabetical order poster, I introduce cutting skills.
When I taught preschool in a school setting, the young kids did not come to me with scissor skills. Many children are too young for scissors prior to preschool age, so this is a good time to start learning.
My preschooler-with guidance-cut the letters apart. This gave her practice cutting straight lines, and separated each letter onto its own piece of paper.
(FYI-My daughter was 4 1/2 when we started a focused preschool at home curriculum. She had been using safety scissors for a year or so, though.)
When she had cut all the letters apart, I laminated them for durability. (This is the counter top laminator I use.)
Then, we played a game.
While singing the ABC song, we put the letters in order. The alphabetical order poster became a puzzle.
She took her time to find some letters. I helped point to letters she did not know yet, and this helped her learn them.
This activity for teaching alphabetical order is so incredibly simple, inexpensive, and it’s a teaching tool for independent learning.
How?
When we were done putting the letters in order, we sang the alphabet song through. Then we cleaned it up.
Using a zip top bag, we placed all the letter squares in the bag to be used during free play or another day. I store all of our learning games this way so that the kids can grab them as they need activities.
My child learns not only how to play, but how to clean it up. They learn and play at the same time.
Busy bags, simple style!
Kids can easily grab a baggie, play on their own if I need to vacuum or clean up the dishes, and put it all away on their own. (Probably with a bit of reminding from me!)
Daily Preschool at Home Schedule
Most days of our homeschool preschool time followed this schedule:
- We started each day with Calendar Time.
- We reviewed our letter binder, and added a page if needed.
- Using our alphabet poster, we sang the alphabet song a couple of times.
- Then we would do our daily preschool activity.
- Most preschool days ended with my daughter drawing, scribbling and “writing” in her journal. Preschool journal time is such a great way to reinforce learning exploration.
Check out other activities for learning the alphabet such as:
Plastic Egg Alphabet Order Stacking
Learning letters fridge magnet game
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