Still think “Letter of the Week” is the ultimate path to reading success? It might not be giving kids the strong literacy foundation you’re hoping for.
Experience in the classroom shows that while this approach may look structured, it doesn’t necessarily help children build the core skills they need for reading and writing later on.
Here's why:
1. Children need to be interested to learn.
Prepackaged curricula don’t know your specific children. Children learn letters best when they care about them, like the letters in their name or a word that fascinates them.
2. "Letter of the Week" offers a false sense of progress.
Sure, you can check off “letter L” for the week, but that doesn’t mean each child truly understands or retains it. Surface-level memorization isn’t the same as solid literacy foundations.
3. Developmental readiness matters (and is arguably more important than "school readiness").
Children can learn multiple letters at once if they’re ready. Pushing one letter every day or week doesn’t necessarily align with each child’s developmental stage or genuine interest.
4. Child-led play creates authentic literacy learning moments.
Child-led, interest-based learning engages kids more deeply. Organic exposure to letters during play is far more impactful than rigid drills or worksheets.
So...if you're still relying on the "Letter of the Week" to teach the alphabet, here's what you can do instead:
1. Encourage child-led play
Provide open-ended materials like paper, crayons, blocks, or even puppets. Let children explore, build, and create. Watch for moments when they naturally show curiosity about letters—maybe they scribble a “B” for “Ball” or ask how to write “Mom.” That’s your cue to connect letters to something meaningful in their world.
2. Observe and respond.
Rather than forcing a letter schedule, look out for those “lightbulb” moments when a child’s interest is sparked. If a child proudly draws a picture and starts telling you about it, ask if they’d like you to write the words.
3. Focus on building foundational skills.
When children freely move, play, and explore, they’re building the motor strength, visual skills, and phonological awareness that underlie true literacy. A strong core, steady hand, and tuned-in ears matter far more than memorizing letters by rote.
By focusing on the foundational skills—like strong core muscles, visual perception, phonemic awareness, and genuine connection—you set children up for true literacy success.
When children learn to love letters and see a purpose in them, they develop the confidence to explore reading and writing on their own terms.
Cheering you on,
Stacy
