The Alphabet

Through the letter of the week project, we are highlighting one letter a week.  However, we make stronger brain connections when there is a context and through meaningful activities and interactions.  Learning through experience and exploration leads to better understanding and retention.  Our weekly themes not only provide opportunities for language development, but also help provide context for learning.  Rarely do we use letters or sounds in isolation.  For literacy development we need all of the letters.  So it is good to maintain a reference to the entire alphabet.  ABC books and apps can play a role in keeping this link.

For ABC books, check out this list of Alphabet Books reviewed by No Time For Flash Cards.  Jerry Pallotta’s Alphabet Books (there is a series of them) are also worth checking out.  Titles such as The Ocean Alphabet Book  and The Icky Bug Alphabet Book offer a great opportunity to introduce vocabulary and information related to some of our upcoming themes.

Looking for apps targeting the alphabet?  There is a plethora (at least for iOS).  A search on the keyword ‘alphabet’ in the App Store will produce over 4000 apps to choose from!  Here is a brief list of some of the alphabet apps worth considering:

AlphaTots by Spinlight – uses action verbs with corresponding mini-games to teach ABCs, also features an alphabet song (this has been a hit with the kids I have used it with in therapy)

Interactive Alphabet ABCs by Piikea Street – has an interactive “toy” for each letter, targets upper- and lowercase letters as well as their sounds and an alphabet song (another hit with some of my kiddos)

ABCSounds by Tender Learning Concepts, Inc. (there is also a Lite version, which I use a lot in therapy) - the Lite version focuses only on phonics (the sound for each letter symbol), whereas the full version highlights the letter name, sound and a corresponding word.  I highly recommend at least the Lite version. 

ABC Alphabet Phonics Plus for Toddlers by Abitalk Inc. – has the alphabet song, letter matching, coloring book, letter sequencing, and words to encourage letter/sound recognition

Bogga Alphabet by Boggatap – color letters of the alphabet to turn them into fridge magnets and then play with them on the refrigerator

Alphabooks HD by Cavallo Media Group, Inc. – simple stories for each letter of the alphabet

Montessori Letter Sounds HD by Les Trois Elles Interactive – focuses on letter sounds and sound symbol association

An Animal Alphabet by Jason Walters – more of a traditional alphabet book with interactive elements and auditory bombardment of each letter sound (e.g. Rr: Rabbits relish radishes)

ABC Music by Peapod Labs, LLC – explore a world of music (and instruments) ABC style

ABCmouse.com 26 A-Z Music Videos by Age of Learning, Inc. – an animated music video for each letter of the alphabet

These are only some of the possibilities.  Do you have a favorite ABC book or app?  What would you add to this list?

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[Vlinder]

Looking for android apps targeting the alphabet/letters? Check out this list from Smart Apps for Android: http://www.smartappsforandroid.com/category/language-arts/alphabetletters/