What is the practice?
This practice uses store-bought or homemade ABC books to involve an infant in learning to enjoy books and storytelling.
What does the practice look like?
You can use ABC books to show your child pictures of familiar or interesting objects and the first letters of words as you read or tell your child a story, recite an ABC rhyme, or use a book as part of a made-up story. ABC books will introduce your child to letters as part of having a story read or told to him. The more your child hears the sounds of words and letters of the alphabet, the more he will learn to notice the differences in sounds.
How do you do the practice?
There is not a right or wrong way of using ABC books with your child. The main idea is to use the books to read your child a story that has pictures of familiar things that include letters of the alphabet.
How do you know the practice worked?
- Does your child look at or touch pictures that are familiar to him?
- Does your child make sounds or try to repeat things you do or say?
- Does your child point to books he wants you to read to him?
- Start by finding or making ABC books that include things that are familiar and interesting to your child and that he likes and enjoys.
- Pick a time to read to your child when he is alert and interested in sitting on your lap or lying on the floor next to you.
- Show the book to your child and read or talk about what is on each page. Read to your child in an enthusiastic manner.
- Introduce the ABCs through storytelling. There is no need to try to go through the entire book at one time. Start with a few pages and add one or two pages each time you and your child read the book.
- Encourage your child to be part of the storytelling by having him touch, hold, bang, and yes, taste the book!
Take a look at more first alphabet books
ABCs Just for Me!
Nicholas’ father has been collecting pictures of his 15-month-old son’s favorite toys, people, animals, and other things. He chooses five of the pictures for Nicholas’ first ABC book. He writes the first letter of each person or object on the picture and uses a small photo album to make the book. He introduces the book to his son by saying, “Daddy has a special treat for Nicholas–your very own ABC book!” He and Nicholas find a comfortable place to sit and look at the book together. Dad sits on the floor with Nicholas sitting between his legs while holding the book in front of his son. Dad shows Nicholas the book with the title on the cover: Nicholas’s ABC Book. He reads the title while pointing to it. “Let’s read your book!” Dad says. He opens the first page which has a picture of Nicholas’ big sister. Nicholas reaches for and pats the picture while Dad says, “You see Abby! Abby starts with an A.” They continue looking at the ABC book where Nicholas and his father go back and forth pointing, “talking,” getting excited, and just having a fun time.
“Chicka, Chicka...”
Jada’s mother is sitting in a chair with 8-month-old Jada seated in her lap. They are getting ready to read what has become a favorite story of ABCs racing up a coconut tree while playing a game of tag. “A tells B...,” Mom reads, and asks Jada, “What comes next?” Mom recites the book’s rhyming chant, pausing between verses to ask her daughter to “guess what happens next.” This excites Jada, especially when she hears the names of the letters she remembers. At the end of the story, Mom and Jada say “Chicka, chicka, boom, boom, they all fall down!”
My Favorite Things
Megan has both a physical disability and some visual difficulties. This, however, does not stop her from being interested in hearing stories told by her father. She especially enjoys stories about herself that her father “makes up.” Dad has collected digital photographs of some of Megan’s favorite activities. He has added an initial letter in large print to each photograph of a person, object, or action. He has even added sound clips describing the photographs (for example: “Megan’s favorite toy is a bear. Bear starts with a B”). Dad places Megan in front of the computer screen seated on his lap. He shows Megan how touching any of the keyboard keys “starts the story.” Megan becomes excited and starts vocalizing and smiling each time she makes the computer “talk.” Dad introduces new photographs each time he and Megan “read the book,” which especially captures Megan’s attention and interest.
