8 Ways to Use SiliABCs Alphabet Cards

Congratulations! You are an involved and caring parent, guardian, or caregiver, dedicated to the future success of your child. As such, you are the first and most important teacher in your child’s life. The positive impact of parent involvement in early childhood literacy development is well-documented.

From the moment babies are born, they start developing literacy skills through their relationship with their parents. By talking, reading, singing, and playing with your infant or toddler, you provide the foundation your child will need to develop language and reading skills. https://www.pacer.org/ec/early-literacy/parents-play-a-key-role.asp

An abundance of research exists on the topic of early literacy and parental involvement and is easily accessed through a search engine. But to summarize some of  the many benefits of early introduction to literacy skills and impact on success throughout the academic career a list has been created below. This list is by no means exhaustive but highlights some of the many benefits of parent-child interaction.

The benefits of helping your child with early literacy skills include:

• Advancement of cognitive skills – the ability to think, perceive, and process information
• Improvement of language skills, communication skills, and social interactions
• Preparation for the classroom
• Development of positive attitudes toward reading and learning
• Deepened understanding of the child’s learning style and needs – allows you to speak knowledgeably with your child’s teachers in addressing his/her future academic needs
• Builds a strong bond between the child and parent/guardian

How do SiliABCs Alphabet Cards fit into early childhood literacy? As a learning tool that is engaging, aligned with best practice in education allowing for a smooth transition from home to the classroom. Additionally, they are durable, safe, and hygienic.

How can you maximize use of  SiliABCs Alphabet Cards to lay the foundation for your child’s literacy? Below are eight suggestions for use of  SiliABCs Alphabet Cards.

• First, allow your child to play with the cards. Whenever introducing a learning tool/manipulative is introduced, play is the first step. Allow the child to manipulate, feel, smell, even taste (SiliABCs Alphabet Cards are non-toxic, food grade silicon)
• Letter recognition – assist your child in recognizing letters and the related illustrations. Develop games and fun related to correct identification. Right answers in one pile, letters to go back to in another. Celebrate successes! Encourage perseverance in recognizing those letters with which the child is struggling
• Letter/sound relationships – this is a critical step in literacy and for your child to identify the correct sound associated with the letter you may need to do a little bit of homework. (some letters are vocalized, and others are not) Fortunately, there are links on the internet and YouTube that are helpful, and research based.
• Letter Combinations to Form Words - SiliABCs Alphabet Cards are detachable to allow the child or adult to manipulate letters to form words. Begin with basic words in a CVC pattern (consonant-vowel-consonant – such as cat, dog, hat) Utilize letter/sound relationships to sound out words.
• Apply learning to books you are reading with your child – As you read with your child, ask them to apply their skills to the books you are reading. Can they find all the Rs on the page? Can they read the word “dog” every time it appears in text?
• Tactile explorations – Allow the child to experience letters through tactile exploration
  • Trace the letters on the SiliABCs Alphabet Cards with their fingers
  • Create a rubbing of the letters – lay paper over the SiliABCs Alphabet Cards rub over the top with a pencil or crayon.
  • Trace letters with fingers then recreate the letter in shaving cream (place plastic on the table and apply foamy shaving cream for the child to manipulate)
• Transfer knowledge to paper – allow your child to write letters on paper. Trace the letter on the SiliABCs Alphabet Cards, then form letter on paper with a crayon or pencil. Allow them to start with their favorite letters and build into words they have created
• Name recognition – Lay out the SiliABCs Alphabet Cards to form the child’s name, reinforce the letters in order, trace letters, practice writing his/her name

There are many ways in which SiliABCs Alphabet Cards can be used to enhance early literacy skills. These are just a few. Remember to celebrate small successes and make the interaction fun!

Article Writer: Terrie E. Mitev, Ed.D