The amazing alphabet

What amazes me about people is how rich our language is, and how quickly the infant brain learns it! Right now we have four children, L (almost 4), R (2.5), A and M (almost 2), who are eager to learn the alphabet, and they are making amazing progress! Maria Montessori wrote about how the age of four was towards the end of the sensitive period for learning this, and my observations these past many years seem to corroborate this. However, some of my friends have raised their children within the Waldorf School framework, and they don't introduce the alphabet until the age of seven, preferring instead to focus on oral storytelling, handwork and visual arts. Somehow, we all get there eventually!

We combine alphabet puzzles, the Montessori sandpaper letters, art activities, flash cards, and baskets with things that all start with the same letter, to encourage children with different learning styles to explore the alphabet in different ways. I am completely amazed that my almost-2-year-old knows 20 of the alphabet letters already! So it can be done...

I think you have to be very subtle though - if I've learned anything about kids (and older!), they don't like being put on the spot unless you make it fun in some way. They get performance anxiety just like anyone else. Pressure is very counterproductive, whether it's learning the alphabet, trying a new food, or potty training. I've learned this the hard way, believe me! : )