Preschoolers learn best by hands-on activities and this is especially true for learning reading, writing and the alphabet. While the ABCs are generally not a hard concept for your child to memorize, your preschooler needs to learn how each letter looks and sounds. Why not engage your preschooler in making a mini-book to help him or her learn the alphabet? 

There are many educational websites that have wonderful ideas for making mini-books with your preschooler. You will want to pick a project that is not too difficult. In addition, you can also find websites that have print outs of mini-books. All you need to do is print the page, and the follow the instructions to put the book together. One handy website is DLTK Teach. This website has a book for each letter of the alphabet. Another useful website that offers printable mini-books is Star Fall. They help with beginning reading and have fun pictures that your child can color.

Here are some ideas for making your own ABC Mini Books from scratch!

Index Card Book

For this mini-book project, you will need a stack of old magazines, glue, scissors, hole punch, ring clip and an index card for each letter of the alphabet. Start this project by writing the uppercase and lowercase letter on each index card. Work with your preschooler to find a picture of something that represents each letter. For example for “c” your child may find a picture of a cat, candy or a computer. Have your preschooler cut the picture out and glue it on the matching card. When all the cards are finished, punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of each card and attach the cards together with the ring clip.

Simple Book

For this book, you will make one for each letter of the alphabet. You may consider working on two or three letters a week until your preschooler has mastered each one. For each book you will need 3 sheets of regular 8-1/2 by 11 white paper. Simply fold each sheet in half and cut on the line. Fold again and stack sheets together. Staple the pages together in the crease. Have your child decorate the cover for the letter. On the next page, have your child practice writing uppercase and lowercase letters. On the next page, have your child try to write a sentence using the letter in a word. For the next few pages, have your child draw pictures of words that coincide with the letter and cut and paste pictures.