Alphabet Matching

Supports this milestone

• identifies letters of the alphabet and produces correct sounds associated with letters. — Head Start ELOF

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Materials

• Two sets of uppercase letter cards or magnetic letters
• A tray or cookie sheet

Steps

• Start with the letters in the child's name.
• Hold up a letter and ask the child to find its match.
• Name the letter together as they place the match.
• Add a few new letters each session.

Variations

• Match uppercase to lowercase letters.
• Hide letters around the room for a letter hunt.

Differentiation

• For beginners, use only 3-4 highly different letters.
• For older children, ask for the letter's sound after naming it.

Accessibility

• Use tactile, magnetic, or sandpaper letters for multisensory learners.

Practices these skills

• Names Alphabet Letters

Evidence

• Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• The Absorbent Mind — Maria Montessori · 1949 · Holt Paperbacks (reprint)