Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

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deut6family
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:57 pm

Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by deut6family » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:17 pm

I need some input. I have 3 daughters. The older two learned the names of the letters and sounds by the age of 5 with no problems! My 3rd born is 4 1/2 years old... and true to birth order is quite the "silly girl" and I can't seem to figure out how to teach her in a way that sticks! She is having trouble remembering the Sounds and the Letter Names. I have been following Carrie's letter of the week plan in LTHTH, but she does not remember the motions that go with each letter, or the "hint"...so that doesn't help. I am wondering if I should use a different flashcard with a picture/word connection to the sounds of the letters ? Does anyone have any recommendations for me? We are at letter Ii this week, but she still can only tell me A, B and C! I hate moving on when she doesn't remember the ones we've done already, but I can't stay stalled all year long... she gets bored and so do I. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Sarah

8arrows
Posts: 965
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:49 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by 8arrows » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:27 pm

I have a silly, hyper seven-year old girl. When she was 4, her phonics lessons were a joke, but I had a good attitude about it because she enjoyed school, and I figured it couldn't hurt. We just kept moving. We were using some of those pages where you circle the picture if it starts with a certain letter. I would say does T-T Tiger start like Turtle. She might adamantly say, "No!" I just started saying, "Yes, it does. Please ciircle it." She was fine with it. Fast forward a year. She got phonics so quickly. She just wasn't ready. So, all that to say, I would just keep going and having fun. Keep reviewing too, but don't sweat it. You never know when it will click!
Melissa, wife to Jim for 28 years
3 graduated, 2 using US 2, 8th grade dd using Missions to Marvels
Isaiah 40:11 ...He gently leads those that have young.

glperky
Posts: 490
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 6:38 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by glperky » Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:15 am

I have a 6yr old DS who we have been working on letters and their sounds since he was three and he still doesn't have them. I have been looking at the Learning Gates on HSLDA, called HSLDA, and think I am going to try the reading program that Child 1st sells. Don't know if any of that helps but just wanted you to know that your not alone. You can PM me if you would like.
Married to my best friend since Oct. 1989
DS 25
DS 20
DS 12
DS 10
And one - waiting in Heaven

I am way outnumbered and loving it!

Tidbits of Learning
Posts: 303
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:18 am

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by Tidbits of Learning » Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:33 pm

Have you tried the video "The Letter Factory" by Leap Frog? Look for it on Netflix or Walmart or Target have it for about $10. It is great. The little Frog, Tad, doesn't know his letters and their sounds and his Dad works at The Letter Factory and has to go in to work. There is a whole series of them The Letter Factory, The Word Factory, The Code Word Caper...you can often get them in a set together. They really work and kids don't even realize it is learning. Lots of singing cartoon characters and singing letters. My boys both watched them when they were little.
2020-2021
dd20, dd19 Grown and Flown :D
ds18-12th grade at hybrid school
ds14-8th grade MTMM President's Study and Science

MelInKansas
Posts: 1700
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by MelInKansas » Sat Nov 30, 2013 7:00 pm

I agree with Tidbits, Letter Factory is a great little sing-song reminder. My oldest didn't get them at all when she was 4. I finally figured out she knew 4 letters every time she saw them, A, O, J, and M. Which just happened to be the initials of the 4 members of our family (we only had 4 at that time). We were working on K and I got out a Key for her to touch and hold and we talked about K and the "K" sound. Ever after that she remembered K. She is a kinesthetic learner and so movement or physical interaction really helps her remember things. There is so much of this built into HOD. But for my DD it was having an object or person to connect the letter with that finally helped them start sticking. But as the other poster said, with the struggle that it was to begin with, she got them all by age 5 and started learning to read by 5 1/2. So you could just keep going with LHTH. It's not necessary for them to remember them all, but Letter Factory and finding physical things to connect with may help.

Blessings
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"

DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven

8arrows
Posts: 965
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:49 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by 8arrows » Sat Nov 30, 2013 7:06 pm

YES! I forgot about Letter Factory!!!!!
Melissa, wife to Jim for 28 years
3 graduated, 2 using US 2, 8th grade dd using Missions to Marvels
Isaiah 40:11 ...He gently leads those that have young.

Catherine
Posts: 62
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:54 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by Catherine » Sat Nov 30, 2013 11:13 pm

My kiddos have all liked Starfall.com as a supplement for learning their letters/sounds.
~8 yr old DD
~6 yr old DD
~4 yr old DS
~2 yr old DS

nena3927
Posts: 114
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:10 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by nena3927 » Sun Dec 01, 2013 12:11 am

I give another shout out for The Leapfrog Letter Factory !!! I have used that alone to teach all 3 of my dc and it worked GREAT!!! Within just a couple of weeks, they learned their letters AND sounds and they have never had a problem remembering them since. If you haven't tried that dvd yet I would HIGHLY recommend it :)
~Nena
Blessed Wife and Mother of 3 :)
DS (7) Beyond
DD (5) Beyond
DS (4) Loving R&S Preschool Workbooks

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by my3sons » Sun Dec 01, 2013 6:08 pm

This is excellent advice! :D
8arrows wrote:I have a silly, hyper seven-year old girl. When she was 4, her phonics lessons were a joke, but I had a good attitude about it because she enjoyed school, and I figured it couldn't hurt. We just kept moving. We were using some of those pages where you circle the picture if it starts with a certain letter. I would say does T-T Tiger start like Turtle. She might adamantly say, "No!" I just started saying, "Yes, it does. Please ciircle it." She was fine with it. Fast forward a year. She got phonics so quickly. She just wasn't ready. So, all that to say, I would just keep going and having fun. Keep reviewing too, but don't sweat it. You never know when it will click!
"The Letter Factory" is also a great idea!
In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

lmercon
Posts: 659
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:05 pm
Location: Zieglerville, PA

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by lmercon » Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:39 am

Just try to work a little "fun" practice into your day. For example, when you're out in the car, say, "Hey, let's see if we can find some thing that start with the "d" sound!"
FWI, I would promote letter sounds over letter names.
Wife to a great guy and mommy to:
Ds(15) - using WG and loving it!
Dd(11) - using Res.to Ref and having a blast!
Ds (3) - our joy!
Two little ones in the arms of Jesus - I can't wait to hold you in Heaven!

deut6family
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:57 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by deut6family » Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:51 pm

We were working on K and I got out a Key for her to touch and hold and we talked about K and the "K" sound. Ever after that she remembered K. She is a kinesthetic learner and so movement or physical interaction really helps her remember things. There is so much of this built into HOD. But for my DD it was having an object or person to connect the letter with that finally helped them start sticking.
I like THIS! I never thought about having an object for her to actually touch that starts with that letter! I will work on this... It could help. I had some flashcards filed away that were "action" flashcards. So for each letter there was an action or motion to do that started with that letter. So for "A" we "Act Silly" and "B" we "Balance on one foot" She seemed to like it... but I don't know how much it will stick!

We DO have the leapfrog letter factory, she actually asks to watch it! I don't think it has helped too much- but maybe if i start using "the song" they sing to incorporate it into our learning each day as we repeat each letter it might help.

I do also agree that I don't need to push her. She will get it when she is ready! Trying to remember this... but also not wanting her to think she can be silly and not have to learn either!

Thanks for all the advice!!! :<)

MelInKansas
Posts: 1700
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm

Re: Need help- the ABC's are not "sticking!"

Post by MelInKansas » Tue Dec 03, 2013 7:55 am

I wanted to add too, that my DD was maybe a little "delayed" or at least learned letters later than a lot of children who have exposure to them do, but now, at 8.5, she is an avid reader and loves to read! Now, when she encounters an unfamiliar word in her reading she does struggle to sound it out carefully, but I am just thankful she loves reading because I think over time her exposure to words, spelling, proper grammar, and everything will be so helpful in learning LA and just in life. I think HOD does such a great job of fostering a love for reading, partially because the introduction to it is so gentle and fun, and the books in all the different programs are such wonderful living books that really capture the hearts and imagination of the kids (and mine too!)

So, that's my extra endorsement to just keep on going, keep it positive, and let your DD grow into it.
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"

DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven

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