Magnetic Letters

Magnetic letters are a simple tool you can use to help with letter name and sound identification.  Magnetic letters (or even non-magnetic plastic letters) are available in grocery or retail stores in small quantities, or can be purchased at a teacher supply store (either the physical store or online).  Once you have a variety of letters available, try some of these activities:

• Start with the known letters.  Put the letters on a cookie sheet or table, and ask such questions like, “Can you find the b?” or “Which letter makes the “buh” sound?”…etc. 
• If you have multiple letters that are the same, you can have your child sort the known letters, asking a question such as, “Can you find all of the Ms?” or “Which ones are the Cs?”  You can mix upper and lower case letters and try the same activity.
• Play “mystery letter” by holding a magnet letter behind your back and saying, “I am holding a letter that says “fff”, which letter am I holding?”
• To teach new letters and sounds, add more magnet letters into the activity by introducing the letter name and sound, then mixing it in with the other known letters.  Mix them around and ask, “Can you find the letter we just added?  Where is the w?” or “Where is the new letter that makes the “w” sound?”
• You can also use the magnet letters in a similar way to an ABC book when your child is reading and writing.  Have the known letters nearby to refer to when your child gets “stuck” on a letter or sound.
• Magnet letters are also a good aid to use when teaching your child letter formation.  Your child can trace the letter with his/her finger, and even “write” on top of the letter with a pencil to practice the correct form.  Combine this practice with a verbal description of the movements as well!