How to Add Preschool Literacy To Your Classroom

Inside: Expand preschool literacy to all areas of your classroom with these easy tips and activities! 

Creating a literacy-rich preschool environment is important, and it can happen in a variety of fun ways.

While a reading and writing center are important, you do not need to limit literacy activities in those areas.

Teachers, take a look around your classroom. How can you add letters with blocks? What about play dough? How can you engage the children in small and large groups? What about adding fun activities related to favorite picture books?

Once you see how fun it is to expand letters throughout your classroom, in every center, throughout the day, you will be amazed at how excited the children will be to interact with them!

Creating a Literacy-Rich Preschool Environment

CLICK HERE to find 30+ awesome ways to teach the alphabet!

While setting up your preschool centers, think about how you can add literacy. Here are some ideas:

Art

ABC Snowman: Add letters to this simple winter art.

Gift Bags: Stamp words onto bags for parent gifts.

Alphabet Ornaments: Download the free printable and select the first letter of the child’s name.

Secret Letters: Apply watercolors to paper and find the hidden letters. (Busy Toddler)

Sensory

Alphabet Water Play: Make alphabet soup with letters, water, and kitchen utensils.

ABC Construction: Add alphabet stones to sand along with construction vehicles.

Alphabet Flower Bin: Write the alphabet on rocks and add them to this spring sensory bin.

Foam Letter Bin: Fill your tub with foam letters and fine motor tools.

Table Activity

Fish ABC Activity: Download the free printable and match the uppercase and lowercase letters.

Writing Center

Journals: Create simple journals using Mead books and a variety of materials.

Alphabet Box: Sort alphabet stickers, magnet and foam letters into separate drawers.

Play Dough

Dirt Writing Tray: Press rocks into “dirt” playdough to make letters. (Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Invite children to make their own Chicka Chicka trees with letters. (Fantastic Fun and Learning)

Foam Letter Fun: Press foam letters into playdough – literacy and fine motor!

Dramatic Play

Ice Cream Shop: Use printable signs, menus, and coupons for literacy exposure.

Post Office: Write letters and send them using mailbags and mailboxes.

Flower Market: Add notepaper to clipboards and provide writing tools (free printable).

STEAM

Magnetic Alphabet Rescue: How many letters can you rescue with a magnetic wand? (Innovation Kids Lab)

Small Groups

Name Puzzles: You can easily make these using heavy paper. Preschoolers love any activity involving their names!