Toddlers can begin to recognize the letter E by drawing it themselves with the help of an adult. While paper and crayons are all children need to learn to draw the letter E, other materials can make this activity more interesting. Play dough is a fun material for toddlers, and adults can help children make the letter E by rolling long strips of dough and connecting them to create this letter. Finger paint, glued strips of paper, chalk and cutouts from magazines can also be used to make the letter E.
Crafts help toddlers connect the letter E with actual words when making crafts of animals, people and other items. Children can draw, paint and color animals that start with the letter E, such as elephants, elks, and eagles. The same can be done with common items such as eggs, envelopes and earrings. Children can also learn parts of the body that start with the letter E, such as eyes and ears, by making drawings or coloring pages. For older toddlers who can pay attention for longer amounts of time, it can be fun to create a book with cutouts from magazines of items that start with the letter E.
Toddlers are not able to pay attention for long periods of time, but games can help younger children stay interested in learning about the letter E. Children can go on a treasure hunt to look for items that begin with the letter E. Parents and teachers should discuss items that begin with this letter before starting the game, give examples, and name specific items the toddlers should look for. A plastic egg relay can also be a fun game for toddlers. For toddlers who have more vocabulary, tongue twisters can also be a fun game to practice the letter E.
Snacks can also teach toddlers about the letter E and help maintain interest. Eggs served in different ways can start a discussion about the different meals made with eggs, where eggs come from, and how the word egg begins with the letter E. Toddlers enjoy hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, deviled eggs, egg sandwiches and egg salad. Other foods that start with the letter E include eggplant, English muffin, enchiladas, evaporated milk, and elbow macaroni. If some foods are hard to serve, parents and teachers can make cutouts of the food items and have the toddlers pretend play they are eating the foods.