Skill
Names Alphabet Letters
Child recognizes and names some uppercase alphabet letters.
Ages 36–60 months
Why it matters
Letter-name knowledge is one of the strongest early predictors of later reading; naming letters supports learning their sounds and forming them.
Builds toward this milestone
- identifies letters of the alphabet and produces correct sounds associated with letters. — Head Start ELOF
What mastery looks like
- Names at least ten uppercase letters on sight, including the letters of their own name.
How to observe it
- When shown a letter, does the child name it without sounding it out from a song?
Accessibility
- Offer tactile or magnetic letters and sandpaper letters for multisensory learners.
Activities
Worksheets
Learn first
Evidence
- CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Developmental Milestones — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2022 · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas