Using a large wall-mounted or small handheld blackboard, preschoolers draw letters of the alphabet with dampened fingertips. As the letter is being written, the children pronounce the corresponding name and sound. When the letter dries it will disappear from the blackboard and children are prompted to recall the information without visual aid. This game helps with improving letter formation and recognition as well as sound recognition.
Alphabet dice games help preschoolers improve letter recognition skills. Large dice are created from fitting the bottom halves of two cut half-gallon milk cartons to form a cube. On each side of the dice, pieces of paper are attached with different letters of the alphabet. Sitting in a circle on the floor, each child takes a roll of the dice. As the dice come to a stop, the group names the letter that appears. To expand the game to address sound as well as letter recognition, children can also be prompted to pronounce the sound each letter makes.
Preschoolers literally uncover the alphabet in letter identification games where students reveal different letters buried in Styrofoam packing peanuts. To prepare for the game, teachers place the Styrofoam pieces in plastic dishpans or boxes. Plastic models of letters are placed in each box along with objects which start with the buried letters. As preschoolers find the letters, they must identify the letter by name. When objects are found, children identify the beginning letter through sound recognition.
Knowing the formation of letters is important to letter identification. Touch games employing blindfolds and 10-inch cardboard letter cutouts encourage preschoolers to enhance visual cues with their sense of touch. Children are blindfolded and asked to draw the letters from a box. Using their hands to see, they are asked to identify the letter and sound. For more advanced lessons, children can be given the bonus option of naming a word that begins with the letter.