Children are naturally curious and want to learn the alphabet, but there’s so much more to teach them than just ABCs and 123s. As parents, we’ll need to connect with our children on an emotional level. How do we do that? It’s straightforward. Let’s compare the ABCs to a tasty meal. Would you enjoy a meal if you didn’t know what it would taste like? Probably not! Likewise, wouldn’t it be boring if you’d already eaten the same meal in the past? Of course, and children are no different.
Think of your toddler as an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge. And when you think about it, the alphabet is a lot like a tasty meal. It’s something you can enjoy over and over again. Teaching your child the ABCs and 123s is so much fun, but it isn’t always easy to do. If you’re tired of dealing with endless stacks of flashcards, and if you’re looking for a new and exciting way to teach your child the ABCs and 123s, then this article is for you.
How to Get Your Child Interested in Learning Their ABCs
Tip# 1: Be a good role model.
Parents are always saying that their children are mimicking them. Children automatically model their parents’ behaviors, whether they realize it or not. If you’re not an avid reader, don’t be surprised when your child rejects the written word. If you’re not into math, then don’t expect your child to be excited about solving mathematical equations. And if you’re not interested in the alphabet and numbers, don’t expect your child to be interested in these subjects either.
Tip# 2: Play with your child.
A lot of parents say that their children don’t like to be read to. Some say that their children don’t respond when they read them a story. But a lot of these parents are just looking for an excuse not to read with their children. If reading stories is a hassle, then you may want to consider listening to audiobooks instead. Your child will love the stories, and you’ll get some time to yourself.
Tip# 3: Have them trace the letters in sand or dirt.
A lot of parents think that because their children’s hands can’t make the letters, having them trace the letters in sand or dirt is a better way to teach them. This may be true if you’re only teaching your child how to spell simple words, but it’s not true if you’re teaching them how to write their name. Children love to draw and write letters in sand or dirt, so this way, they can practice these motor skills while having fun.
Tip# 4: Let them write with crayons.
Some parents say that it’s too hard to break their children from their bad habits. But if you’re not willing to do the work required, then don’t expect miraculous results. Some children have been able to learn and improve with the proper amount of effort and patience, so even if you don’t do anything else, just allow your child to practice writing letters in crayons can be effective.
Tip# 5: Makeup rhymes to help them remember
Some people say that there’s not enough time to help your child learn how to write, but the truth is that it can be a lot of fun if you make up your rhymes. And what’s more important than fun? Children need to have fun while learning. If they’re having fun, then they won’t resist the idea of writing or drawing their letters. Some fun rhymes are as follows:
How to Get Your Child Interested in Learning Their 123s
1. Drinking straw
Kids of all ages will enjoy this activity. Your child will take a drinking straw and cut it into tiny pieces to form the numbers one through ten. It’s cheap, easy to make, and they’re so much fun. Go with the numbers one through ten. This is great for toddlers or preschoolers because it can start their interest in numbers and counting. This can also be a project that you can do together as a family.
2. Wooden Number Blocks
This is another excellent idea for a fun educational project for little ones. You need to visit a local craft store together and pick out your own set of number blocks; the bigger, the better. You’ll need these for years and years to come. I have many primary-colored wooden blocks that my daughter got for her first Christmas, and we’re still using them now.
3. Puzzle Activity
You can purchase special puzzles that are teaching kids to recognize numbers and arrange them in order. You can do so many activities with puzzle pieces to help develop early math skills with your child. The fun patterns of number puzzles can also help teach your child to recognize numbers. Little kids can have a great time playing this game.
4. Bouncing balls
Playing a game of bouncing balls will help your child to learn how to count. The game can involve simple counting and having the child bounce the ball and then count how many times it bounces. As your child gets older, you can change the game to involve more and more numbers.
5. Magnetic numbers
You can purchase magnetic numbers for your refrigerator; this will help your toddler or preschooler learn how to count. If you want to make it more fun, build the magnetic numbers into a fun shape such as a heart. This will help them to concentrate and also be more motivated. They will enjoy being creative.
Every time they get it right, reward them.
The thing that most people drop the ball on is the reward system. If you want your child to learn how to write their letters and numbers, then you must reward them when they do a good job. If you don’t reward them, they will be encouraged to improve. However, it’s essential that if you’re rewarding them for doing a good job, that the reward must always be equal to the task. For example, if your child can write a sentence, but didn’t spell all of the words correctly, they should not get the same amount of points as when they spelled all of the terms correctly.
In Conclusion
So now you know how to teach young children the ABCs and 123s, and hopefully, you will be motivated to get started today. I understand that these tips work because they are simple ideas. They are also ideas that any parent can apply with the use of a few supplies. You can find most of these supplies right at your local craft store or even the dollar store.
These tips don’t take long, and they are fun for children; plus, they’re a great learning tool for parents who want their children to succeed in life and school. Whatever you do, don’t give up on your child.
If you want to learn more about our teaching methods in Baby Steps, please visit our website at NYBabySteps.com or get in touch with us directly.
We want every little child to get the best start in life that they possibly can, and Baby Steps can help you achieve this! Please feel free to contact us anytime at 347-960-8334 / 347-644-5528 or click here to contact us now. We are proud of our comprehensive online programs, which combine fun, learning opportunities, and engaging games for young children.
