Alphabet Stones Rock

Have a little one getting interested in the alphabet?  Creating an alphabet set out of rocks is simple.  Plus, it isn't plastic.  Natural materials add a soothing sensory experience to play.

Here's what you do:

Collect small smooth stones... 50 or so will work perfectly.  Reuse a container from around the house for storage.  I am using the bottom to a terra cotta flower pot, but a repurposed glass jar would work great as well.  Gather a permanent marker in any color you choose. I used black, so it would be easy to see.  Another idea would be to have the vowels in a different color than the consonants.

With materials already gathered, you are ready to begin.  On the smoothest side of each rock, record a lowercase letter of the alphabet.  You should consider making about 5 of each of the commonly used letter and only 2-3 of the less used letters like "x" or "z".

*NOTE*

I have children practice with lowercase letters instead of uppercase because we write almost exclusively in lowercase letters.  Only important words are capitalized.  I never really understood why most parents work on uppercase letters... just doesn't make sense to me.

Here are some ideas on how to use your new alphabet stones:

 

1.  Practice spelling your name.

2.  Practice spelling common words.

3.  Place the alphabet in order.

4.  Work on letter sound correspondence. 

For example:  Orally say the word "cat".  Have your child find the letter that begins the word or ends the word.

Another Example:  Say a letter name or sound and have your child locate the correct letter.

There are so many ways to use the alphabet stones.  These are just some of the very basic.  If you need help on how to correctly pronounce each letter sound, check out the Johnny Can Spell site.  You will be a master of letters and their sounds in no time.