My little girl just turned 3, and I bought ABC flashcards. We have started with the letters a, b, c, d, and t. I’m trying to teach letters and sounds. Eventually, I’ll make words with these letters. Am I on the right track?

Yes, you are on the right track. Great job, Mom! Keep it fun and keep it light. Three years old is the perfect age to introduce letters and sounds. Music is a great help here. Finding a great alphabet song that teaches letters and sounds and playing it when you’re using the flashcards, while she’s playing, while taking a bath, in the car, etc., will help it become automatic for her.

Once she’s learned just a few letters, you can start blending them into words. Go slowly here, she’s still very young and her attention span may only be a few minutes. Once she’s learned a few letters and sounds, teach her that we don’t just learn them, we use them. Show her that by putting the alphabet cards in a row; m – a – t and then saying the sounds together–faster and faster–we can actually say a word. Spell out her name and show her how those letters fit together to sound out her name.

You don’t have to learn the whole alphabet before you start this blending game. The letters m, a, p, s, and t can spell quite a few words. Keep playing the blending game as you add new letters and can make new words. Good luck and enjoy the process of working with your child. It sounds like you’re doing a great job!