Fun Ideas to teach your Toddler her ABCs

"When words fail, music speaks." 

When my daughter was born, I used to sing to her regularly. That was my only way of communicating with her. It was any kind of song, or a rhyme or even I talked to her in some tune. Also, my Dad, who does not remember a single song, used to sing ABCD song to her. She is three years old now. Still, ABCD song is one of her most favorite. 

She started singing on her own when she turned one year. She could not speak all the letters. But she used to manage it somehow.It was adorable. I bet, she had no idea how this ABCD would torment her life in some near future.

It was difficult to introduce her to the Idea that all this ABCD actually exist. I bought the wooden alphabet magnets from Melissa&Doug after she turned one. She used to play happily with those cute alphabets under someone's supervision. Playing involved just emptying the whole box and then cleaning up and then again repeating the same task a few more times. She named that toy as her "ABCD Box". She was too young to identify those alphabets. 

Once she turned two, I was totally armed with Alphabets in all form to start teaching her letters. She got discouraged. She did not have the attention span to sit and learn. I pushed her. Sometimes, she identified the alphabet correctly and sometimes did not. I was worried that my little angel will remain illiterate forever! I got flashcards, fridge magnets, ABCD puzzle and yes lots and lots of books. It was overwhelming for her. 

One fine morning, I was enlightened by a wiser me. Abruptly, I realized that she is so small and I am taking out the FUN of learning from my tiny girl! I promised myself that I would not stress out and will try to think of some better suitable way of teaching. I gave it some thought. I decided to talk about these letters when she is relaxed and in a happy state. Bath time is a good option, I presumed.

This time, I ordered the bath letters from Amazon and it worked as a magic. I realized that my daughter already knew her letters. It just that she did not understand why she had to answer every time I asked her the alphabets. She answered only when she felt like answering. And silly me considered that as her ignorance!

Before she turned three, she knew all her Letters. How did she actually learned her Letters? Can't say! But I can share all the weapons that I started this battle with. Something or other may click for you!


1.Melissa&Doug Wooden Alphabets: 

Pic Courtesy: Amazon

I got this one from Amazon. It is my daughter's first ever alphabets. I liked it since it is wooden and the box has total 52 alphabets, both upper and lower case. But the color has worn off after use for few days.

2.Fridge Magnets: 

A similar one she got on her 2nd birthday. She plays with those whenever she is in the kitchen. But I really doubt that she learned anything from these letters. 

3.ABCD Flashcards: 

Pic Courtesy: Amazon

I got the Playskool Alphabet flash cards from "Dollar Tree" store. We had played and used these flash cards for some days. I think a flash card is a good way to teach a child.The only challenge is holding her attention for that long. 

4.ABCD Puzzle: 

There is this Melisssa&Doug Puzzle where you have to put the alphabet in the correct position and it will tell what starts with that Alphabet. My daughter loved this one. Initially, she just matched the picture and put the pieces. Then gradually she got the idea and played with it the way she should have.

5.ABCD Blocks: 

These are the wooden blocks from Fisher Price. I am not sure how useful these can be to teach a child, but it is a good option to just get acquainted with the letters. My daughter got this as a Christmas gift.

6.Munchkin Bath Magnets: 

Pic Courtesy: Amazon

This one is our favorite. It is cheap and it is fun. I had put those near the bathtub and still, we play our "Letter Letter" game. This game is Fun. I say "Letter Letter"; my daughter says: "What Letter?"; Then I say an alphabet like  "Letter P" and she gets me the alphabet "P". Sometimes we play the same game for the numbers.

7. Mellisa&Doug Alphabet Express:

This is a recent addition. She has not yet completed the whole Alphabet train. But she sits with this on some days and tries to fit the letters to build her express train. 

I feel that whatever option you choose, consistency is the Key! The kids learn and forget at the same speed. So, repeating the same thing, again and again, may help. We play our "Letter Letter" game everywhere. If I see that she is not interested in answering, I leave it that time and bring it up some other time.

After she turned three, our next challenge emerged - WRITING! Maybe, someday, I will be able to add another post on how I crossed that Hurdle. Till then, Happy Learning and keep humming this catchy song, our all-time-favorite!

"Up to the ceiling, Down to the floor,Right to the Window, Left to the door...Maama kiss me, Daddy hugs me,For I know my ABC..."

Posted in: MyBabyIdeas