For the letter C, we went with a community helpers theme. Think firefighters, mail carriers, and doctors, all while your toddler practices the letter C.
How do I teach my toddler the alphabet?
My Toddler Curriculum has been a great homeschool curriculum for many family.
Read more about the Toddler Curriculum here. Read the rest of the post to see our fun week on C is for community helpers.
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(Go here to read more about appropriate ages for this curriculum)
Make the Letter
For the letter activity this week, use playdough and straws cut into small pieces. Draw a C in the playdough using a toothpick. Have your toddler cover the C with the short straw pieces. This is a great fine motor exercise.
Learning Notebook
These learning notebooks are so fun for toddlers. The printables include many activities for them to learn and enjoy. Including a letter formation activity. (10 learning notebook printables for the letter C are included in the Toddler Curriculum)
Toddler Trays
Theme
Match professional rubber duckies to the picture of the building where they work.
Stickers/Stamps
Put star sticker “badges” on the policeman’s hat and shirt.
Pouring
Pour “water” (blue rice) onto the “fire” (picture of fire taped to the bottom of a bowl).
Cutting
Cut “envelopes” and put them into the mailbox. Cut slit in mailbox opening so envelopes fit inside.
Sensory
Put small plastic hearts in a bowl of oatmeal. One heart has a star. Find the right heart for the man.
Tray Printables
Many toddlers love it when they get to handle scissors (even if they aren’t that good at cutting yet), so this cutting practice is perfect for them! (10 tray printables for the letter C are included in the Toddler Curriculum)
Letter Activities
This page is part of a homemade ABC book in the Toddler Curriculum. For the letter C, have your toddler paint a caterpillar. To make this even more fun, have them use q-tips.
Books
Try to read at least one book every day (or more). One of our family favorites is Whose Hat is This? because of all the fun facts in the book.
Teach the whole alphabet, one letter at a time
Our Toddler Alphabet Curriculum helps you teach your child with a unique theme for each letter — printables, toddler tray ideas, a craft, a book list, and simple ways to teach the letter. It makes learning the alphabet easy and fun for you and your child!
Craft
For the letter C craft, write a letter (or make a drawing) and send it to a community helper you know. This might be a family member, or your local departments, but it’s really fun to send a letter and it helps them connect the community helpers to real people. It’s fun to incorporate normal life activities into our homeschool curriculum.
Sensory Bin
As always do an ABC sensory bin and featuring the letter C. We used a base of a bunch pasta both dyed and plain.
Go to our store page to purchase the Toddler Curriculum. It has toddler homeschool lesson plans, crafts, and basically everything you see in this post, plus a little more. You don’t have to be a homeschooling family to use the curriculum though. It’s great for any mom (or dad) who wants to teach his or her toddler. Toddlers school is all about simple learning and this curriculum has exactly that.
For the bigger picture, take a look at our full how to teach letters guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should I start teaching my toddler letters?
Around age 3 is typical, but there is a wide range of normal. Some kids show interest earlier, and plenty learn their letters closer to 4. Please don’t pressure your little one before they are ready.
Should I teach letter names or letter sounds first?
Letter names first. Letter sounds usually come a bit later, around 4 or 5, and they are the piece that really helps with reading.
Which letters should my toddler learn first?
Start with the letters in your child’s own name. They are the most meaningful, so they tend to stick first.