Learning the alphabet needs to begin early in a child's life and the easiest way to teach a skill is though music and fun activities. Singing is an easy and entertaining way to promote good language patterns as songs contain repetitive sounds and young children can understand sentence structure through singing phrases. It is also known that music offers unique possibilities to expand and extend vocabulary.[1]
Try these fun activities to get the little ones moving, grooving, and singing.
The Alphabet Song
Start simple with the ABC song. The Alphabet Song is actually sung to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Point out to children not to blend the letters L, M, N, O, P, but to sing them separately and distinct. Once children have mastered the first tune, branch out and try singing the alphabet to Old MacDonald, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, or another song they select.
Bring out the rhythm instruments, such as drum sticks and tambourines, to add rhythms to their songs. It's amusing how young children can sing the classic alphabet song but cannot recite the letters alone.
Sing Along To A Story
The book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault [Anniversary Edition, Beach Lane Books; 2009 ] is a rhyme/chant telling the story of the entire alphabet as the letters climb up a coconut tree.
This book has been a favorite to children and there is a musical version sung by John & David (John Archambault and David Plummer). The musical score is in two CD versions; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Other Coconutty Songs [Two Dad Music; 1995] and the newer CD called Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - Funky Version [Two Dad Music; 2009].
Alphabet Ball Movement
Draw letters on a rubber ball with a permanent marker. Play some lively music and invite the children to toss the ball back and forth. When the music stops, the child holding the ball must say the alphabet letter in front of him. If the child has developed past letter recognition, ask him to give a word that starts with that specific letter.
Another version is to draw simple pictures on the ball, such as the sun, tree, apple, bug, etc. and when the music stops the child must name the picture and the alphabet letter it starts with.
Create a Letter Band
Children are true and avid imitators. Give each child a cardboard alphabet letter. This child must decide which type of musical instrument this letter will be. Gather the children and let them pretend to play their alphabet instrument. For example, an "I" can become a flute or clarinet, a "P" for a guitar or bagpipe, a "B" for bongo drums, and maybe a "J' for a saxophone.
To play in this band the child must sing the letter name of the instrument they have while pretending to play it. Let the children take turns pretending to be the conductor leading the band with hand motions to play (sing) slow, fast, soft and loud. The music from this band is silly and noisy, but so much fun for the little ones. It is also a good way to practice saying consonants and vowels.
Always make learning a fun experience for young children. In this case imagination and creativity establish the bridge between pre-reading and music.
Sources:
Music: A Way of Life for the Young Child by Kathleen M. Bayless and Marjorie E. Ramsey [Macmillan Publishing; 1991] [1]
First Teacher Magazine [Volume 20, No. 1; January/February 1998]
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