Alphabetic+Principle

What is Alphabetic Principle? [[image:new_ABC.jpg width="171" height="135" align="right"]]
The Alphabetic Principle is when the letters or the letter combinations in the English language stand for specific sounds.

A good way to reiterate the idea that letters in the alphabet makes sounds is to put them into a song, one which children can learn and sing along to. I found an ABC song that I thought would be very beneficial in teaching children the sounds. The first one I found was quite fast and i thought that it may be too difficult for children to keep up with, however there was also a slower recording for children who are just beginning. It first says the letter name, then the sound and then a word that begins with that letter, at the same time it also shows a picture of the word. [|Click here to view.] I think it is a great site for children to learn the sounds that each letter makes, this activity can lead to children enjoying learning, so much so that they could even do it at home on their own computers.

The sounds in the English language are represented by both single letters and combinations of letters. Although the English alphabet has 26 letters, it represents approximately 44 sounds or phonemes. Example: the letter 'c' makes a /c/ sound, when added with another consonant like 'h' it then makes the /ch/ sound!

It is important for the children to learn the alphabet, but it is equally important to identify sounds that each single letter makes and combinations of the letters. It has been found that children who know the letter names can more easily remember the sounds that they make. So, when looking at a written word they can first identify the letters and then attempt to sound them out.

The website link below is a great example of this, when the user clicks on a letter of the alphabet the letter name is said, then it is sounded out and finally a word beginning with that letter is said along with a picture. It is great reinforcement for the children and it not only teachers them the alphabetic principle but will also improve their letter knowledge and introduce them to new words. http://www.multilit.com.au/MULTILITToolbox/MULTILITSoundpromptcards/tabid/714/Default.aspx

I found another good activity which could be played between children in the classroom and even played with family at home for practice. It is Go Fish, but it uses sound cards and instead of saying "did you have the letter 'l'? You have to ask for the sound. By doing this activity in a well known game means that children enjoy it and they dont realise that they are learning. So whilst they enjoy playing they become more and more familiar with the sound letter relationships. [|Click here] to watch a teacher and student play together.