Do you have any ideas on how to teach my son to differentiate between the letters “b” and “d”? He frequently mixes the two up!

In my class, I teach that “b” has a tummy because it pokes out in front of the long line down (as we read left to right) and that “d” has a back because it’s riding behind the long line down. You’ve mentioned that you’ve taught it the other way, and that is fine—it’s simply a matter of getting them to recognize some point of reference, whatever that is can be fine. Just something to help them remember which letter is which. Every year in my class I have a few 4 and 5 year olds who have difficulty with this concept. They can differentiate between them when they are separate, but often struggle when they are seen together—or sometimes just the opposite. Repetition is the key here.

Helping them associate the “b” with something like ball, and “d” with dinosaur may help—the “b” carries his ball in front, and the “d” carries his dinosaur on his back—association games like that. They will eventually “get it” as they are exposed more and more to the two letters in words. I have the letters of “b” and “d” in my classroom and we look at them and talk about them all year. They all seem to get it eventually, but with some kids, it may take a bit longer. Don’t get discouraged—playing lots of recognition games and lots of exposure to seeing the two together, seeing them separately (stick them all over your house with post-it notes and give your child a candy piece every time he identifies one of them correctly), etc. Games like that should help. Good luck and enjoy the process of working with your child.