We use the sandpaper letters to introduce Letter sounds. In an individual lesson, the teacher traces the letter, then says the sound. Then, the child traces the letter and repeats the sound. With this activity, the child experiences the lesson using many senses:  vision, touch, and hearing. The teacher proceeds to play various games with the child to practice and repeat the letter sound, allowing the child to identify the letter, and later to name the sound. The entire lesson is many very deliberate steps, each of which is a bit more challenging for the child. As the child has success, the teacher adds a more challenging step. This way, the child experiences many moments of success. If the child is finding it difficult, the teacher may return to the more complex parts of the lesson later, after the child has had time to practice and master the simpler portions.

 

After introducing the Letter Sounds, the teacher will offer a carefully selected assortment of small objects that let the child practice hearing the letter sounds. Typically, objects like a net, pot, dog would allow the child to hear that initial sound of n, p, and d. Note, we use the sound, not the letter name. Children will later combine the sounds to create words.