Incorporate students' names on a regular basis. It is likely that your students will at least be able to recognize their names when they come into your kindergarten classroom, and many of them should be able to write their names, too. Build on this knowledge of the letters in their names. When they come in the first day of class, have each of the students' names typed on a laminated piece of paper. Place the pieces in a circle, and have students find their names. Students can share how to spell their names with the class. During the first week, ask that they also learn how to spell a few of their friends' names.
Show how letters are drawn. On the chalkboard, draw part of a letter. For instance, if you are drawing a "d," you could draw part of a circle. Ask students which letter you could be drawing. They might say a variety of letters. Write down the letters under the shape that the students guess. Draw more of the letter, but do not finish it yet. Ask students which letter it could still be. Cross out any letter that no longer works with the new shape. Continue playing until you have completed the letter.
Allow children to match letters to common words after they are able to name all of the letters of the alphabet. Have a center in your classroom that has a few dozen laminated pictures of common objects, such as a ball or cup. Have several sets of laminated letters, too. Give children time to match letters with the pictures. Students will be able to visually see that the letters make a sound that works with the picture. Switch out the pictures every few weeks to encourage students to make new connections with other words.