My 5yr old son needs help w/ABC's?

Question

he's in kindergarden and has homework 4x a week and having a hard time recognizing some letters, and the sounds that they make. How can i teach him? I'm having a really hard time. i spend 2hrs a night with him to finish his homework he hates it and so do I, but don't show him i do. i need ideas that you've seen work wonders. please HELP. i don't want him to grow up hating homework at such an early age.

Answer 1

First, see where the problem is. Does he have trouble writing out the letters? Knowing which one is which? Knowing the sound that goes with each? If it's the sound, play the game a few have mentioned where you find things for each letter. Start with his name. "Brad starts with B. What else starts with that sound?" and have balls, baskets, or bears around. It makes it more meaningful.

If he has trouble actually making the letters, work on his tracing. Some Montessori schools have kids make letters in sand. It's a playful way to work (sand is always fun), and it's easy to erase and start again. You can also have him trace (with his fingers, again) letters cut out of sand paper. Something textured that he can really feel.

Finally, if it's a letter discrimination problem, I would have him make his own alphabet book. Talk about the letters and what starts with each one. Take photos of the items (or draw pictures together if you don't have a camera) and help him label the items. It, again, makes learning more meaningful because it's a book HE made about HIS interests.

Otherwise, just have patience. And perhaps ask his teacher about what methods she uses in the classroom. If you like them, it might help to mirror them at home and give him a bit more consistency.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Make every thing a SONG!  Make up your own and be cheerful about it.  Clapping your hands helps to.  If he thinks you like it he will to.  It can sound kind of dumb and it's okay.  Example would be....."C  cat, cat climbs, C carrots, cut carrots C".  Phonic everything helps.  If he is a slow learner go at his pace.  Preschool kids study individual letters.  Tell him today lets try to spy the letter "T".  See how many times you BOTH see it.  Point it out to him and ask him if he also sees any others.  Tell him you NEED his help to find these letters.  I fake cryed once to make my kid help.  HEHEHE  Make everything a GAME!!!

Answer 3

As a kindergarten teacher, giving homework 4 times a week is not absurd.  I teach Kindergarten and our students are blending words together by the end of December.  Its important to practice ABC's with their letters and sounds...because Kinder is more like 1st grade used to be.  The standards are so much higher now.  Homework in Kinder is for practice but also for the parents to really see what their child needs work on.  Thank you for being the type of parent who is concerned and is working hard to help your son.  Try out this website, I use it in my ABC center.  

www.starfall.com

When you get there, click on "ABC's"

It shows the letters, sounds, and pictures that match that letter.

Best of luck.  Keep practicing with songs, flashcards, matching games, letter bingo, etc...

Answer 4

Put the ABC's to him like this...

Annie Alligator - A, A, A (saying the letter sound ah, ah, ah - not the name of the letter) & Chomp your arms like an alligators mouth as you say the letter sounds

Bubba Bear - B, B, B (saying the letter sound buh, buh, buh - not the letter name  & Pat your nose as you say the letter sound

Catina Cat - C, C, C  & Make whiskers with your hands

Dee Dee Deer - D, D, D  & make antlers with you hands

Ellie Elephant - E, E, E & make a trunk with your arm

Francie Fish - F, F, F & make gills with your hands on your face

Gordo Gorilla - G, G, G & pound your chest

Heidi Horse - H, H, H & slap your thighs to make a galloping horse sound

Innie Inchworm - I, I, I & wiggle your pointer finger

So on and so forth...if you need all of them, let me know.  Edit your question to let me know.

Also - Leapfrog makes a GREAT video called The Letter Factory, buy it or rent it from the library - it's REALLY good.

Good luck.

Answer 5

a 5 year old, having homework 4 times a week sounds absurb! im a pre-school teacher, and i dont give out homeworks like that.. anyway, to teach alphabets, in my pre-school in singapore, we use the letterland approach.. it is pretty useful, but more for the obvious.. letters sound different when used in different words, but the song itself would tell if there is any more ways to pronounce the letter.. it starts off with "Annie Apple she says 'a'"..

to recognize letters, what u can do is, use cards or alphabet books.. Make sure ur child is able to recognize "ABC"s before "abc"s.. do not rush him becoz of the homeworks he needs to complete.. and do not let him sit for 2 hrs straight doing his work.. let him take breaks inbetween and make him feel more involved when doing the work.. give him chance to answer and find out his faults.. even if u feel fustrated, do not ever show him any signs of it (remember that even kids can read body language).. the interest in wanting to study starts with parents and teachers.. talk to his teacher and work out a solution.. this always helps

Answer 6

The rule of thumb concerning homework should be no more than a half hour for grades 1-3 , 1 hour for grades 4-6, and two for higher grades.

Developmentally Acceptable Practices (DAP) suggest that pre-K and kindergartners should not have homework.

But

Due to the fact that most schools receive money from many different sources they may be required to show proof of what their money is buying.

When one of my daughters was in Kindergarten by the end of the year she was expected to write whole sentences (4+ words) with correct punctuation, capital letters, and so on. This is something that a lot of 5 year olds just can't do until the end of 1st or the beginning of 2nd grade.

If your child really is having that much homework it is time to question "WHY"! If this practice is expected then it should be no more than 15-20 min tops.

How many 5 or 6 year olds do you know that can sit longer than that?

With time,love,patience, and play your child will learn!

If you are really concerned have the school test him to see if maybe he needs an IEP.

Answer 7

you can help him with simple things

go to Disney.com

and found some pages can learn, teach and play

also help him doing small letter with the water carton and use beans or old cereal and trace glue and let him/her to follow the letter and they love to do it

we have 14 children in our childcare and all my 5 years old every year are ready cutting, pastin, reading and knows their personal # or their parents

Answer 8

Leap Pad has a magnetic fridge pad where you can put a letter in and it will say the letter name and sound.  They also have one that goes a step up to make small words.  

We bought foam letters for in the tub and talked about it in there.  

For early phonics and reading, hooked on phonics is awesome.  

Also, just a thought, but in my state kindergarten is optional.  If you can you might consider a montessori school instead of public.  They are really great at teaching letters, letter sounds, and early reading.  My son went to pre K at one and it was phenominal what the accomplished.

Also, read to him as much as you can.  There are books out there that focus on a letter at a time.  Talk to him about everything clearly.  If you are in the car play games... K says KK like kite.  Can you think of any other K words?  Mommy is making spagetti it starts with a SSSSSSS sound what letter is that?    

Also there is a website with printable books, it costs $80 per year but it has all levels of books it might be worth it for you.  It is readinga-z.com

Good luck and don't give up.

Answer 9

Recite from A-Z about 8 times then let him try

Answer 10

have him memerize the letters the only reason he wont memorize them is because he isnt haveing fun make it more fun and if you have fun so will he so make sure you dont sound boring he will enjoy it if you do at least be enthousiastic and when he is good rewarrd him with a treat or a mcflurry or somthing

Answer 11

The Leap Company (Leap Pad, Leapsters, etc.) have a WONDERFUL A-B-Cs video that not only teaches recognition, but beginning phonics as well.   My 3 y.o. can not only identify letter, but identify letter sounds (and both the long and short sounds of the vowels).  There are sequel videos that expand on the phonics aspect to beginning reading.  $12.00 at Target.

Answer 12

Try reading him ABC books and have him try to read them. Tell him if he is reading words wrong and tell him the right way. ( with sounds )

Answer 13

I know that I don't have as much patience with my own children as I do others.  Is there someone else who can help out with some of his homework so it is not always you?  Maybe you can take turns with another Kindergarten student's parent to help both children with homework, so that your child and you are not getting burnt out with each other.  Also, the other parent and you could be a support for each other.

All the other answers sound good too.  Just thought I would through my 2 cents in.  I know it helps me not to have to "fight" with my children EVERYNIGHT with homework.  I still check it over but It is nice to take turns.  And studying with someone else ( child and/or other adult) might be helpful for your child.

Sorry if I rambled too long.  I hope this helps.

I do something similar to My Boys Mom.

Answer 14

buy some macaroni letterings and cook it for lunch. study alphabets while eating with him.. hope it will help in ur case!

Answer 15

First, of all is his homework really 2 hours worth, or is is a fighting game for 2 hours to get him to do it?  If it is 2 hours, then talk to his teacher about eliminating some of it.

Another thing you might do is buy a timer, and tell your child, if you will work as hard as you can for say 5 minutes, then you can take a break for 5 minutes, then the next time, make it ten minutes work and 10 minute break, then from then on 15 minutes working, 15 minute breaks. I realize this sounds time consuming, but it gives you and your son breaks, plus, he has an incentive to try really hard, because when the timer goes off, he gets a break, and so do you!!! Spend those breaks drinking water, eating a helathy snack or playing a simple game.

The timer can be made a game, "beat the timer!" Eventually, your child will get the homework done the first time before the 15 minute timer goes off. My son is in kindergarten and his homework is 10 minutes or less usually, but I also struggled with him in the beginning.

One other thing, is to use others suggestions of games to identify letters, finding them or play "I Spy" the letter R while driving down the road. You might try allowing someone else to help with homework if that is an option for you when you need a break.

Best Wishes, he will get it! Don't sweat it, and he won't either.

Answer 16

well you could start by just teaching him apotion of the abc's a day

Answer 17

First off why do they have homework in kindergarten?  I wouldn't have my child doing homework in kindergarten.  The way I taught my daughter the alphabet was using wordpad on the computer making the font size so big that on letter filled the whole page and the typed them in and had her identify each one one at a time and had her say the sound for each word.  We also used the refrigerator magnet letters that she played with and spelled with.

Answer 18

Schools are getting demanding on kids so that probably isn't helping. My preschooler is doing her alphabet and the curriculum they use is very good. Some things I can suggest

1) books about the alphabet, you can find some great ones a B & N.

2. Make a fun quiz of no more than 15 minutes a day, with special treats when he gets the questions right. Use flashcards or phonics questions and help him sound out words.

3) Break up homework into smaller time spaces, he's only 5 and that's a long time for him to sit. I recommend no more than 30 min increments at a time if you can.

4) I supplement my daughters preschool work with extra workbooks or homeschool supplies I buy online. Carefully select all of them to balance out what is too easy, just right, and too hard. I buy ABEKA curriculum, which is what my daughter uses in school. It's fast paced and designed to have kids reading by Xmas in kindergarten, so start in the preschool area for the alphabet. Pick themes your child will like, and if you choose to use ABEKA and are not religious, you may choose to omit religious references- since it is a Christian set of curriculum. Hooked on Phonics is also a very good set, and a very reasonable price.

5)Buy alphabet puzzles, talk about the letters and what starts with them with your child .

6) Think about getting him a private tutor, such as one from Sylvan.

Answer 19

ok im not being rude but by that age he shoud know that already! MY SON IS 3 AND KNOWS ALL THE LETTERS,HOW TO WRITE EM SAY THEM AND SPELL 2 OR 3 LETTER WORDS!! u r his biggest influence study with him in a non tedious manner. make it new and fun, with little (non edible) rewards!but he may have a learning disabilty. u should seak a child development specialist

Answer 20

My nephew had trouble with his sounds too, it just takes a little time. His teacher gave us a game it was an alphabet trail, the letters were not in order. He had a little man and so did I we rolled the dice to see how many spaces we had to go. The goal was to land on a letter say the letter & sound that went with it. Your son & you could make your own game with construction paper, markers, little action figures, and dice. At first you would help him say the letters & sounds he didn't know. Then you'll be amazed at how fast he learns them. Also schedule a conference with the teacher tell her your feelings and concerns. She can defintely put some insight into what you should do, afterall she deals with it everyday. If you don't already read to your son everynight please do, it's sooo important! Good Luck & Happy Holidays!!!!!

Answer 21

hi, one thin is your homework time is much too long for him and second make homework fun by play a A.B.C. song or game go to the toy store and buy a learning game for him that sure do it  for him or ask  his teacher what she or he wounld do to make it easy for you and him.

Answer 22

I suggest patience and understanding from your part. As for him, Children love to play all the time so incorporate the alphabet with his game. Make up stories about it. Sing with him the alphabet song and say the sounds with him. Give him guessing games such as what letter begins with the word sun and so forth. Buy for him ABC charts where you can do with him all the time by pointing at each letter and saying the sound. Get the one with beautiful pictures in it. Assign for him a letter each day. Say today you are the letter Aa, tell me things that starts with the letter Aa. What's the sound of the letter Aa? Play games with him with the letter Aa making up stories too. You can also see some educational video tapes,computer disk and games incorporating the alphabet and its sounds. Just be patient. Good luck

Answer 23

my sister is 6 and she is doing her alphabet to. i use things she is interessted in ( princesses) and i make the letters out with the things. try cand or something else and reward him when he does it right. only help him when he really needs it, if he thinks you'll be there for him all the time, he'll start to think that you will always help him and he wont want to do it himself.

Answer 24

Please don't take what I say to heart first off, as I know as a parent of a 12 and 3 year old, I too sometimes may get offended when someone says something in regards to my parenting:  but I am offering this in the kindest way from experience.

Getting them early is the key, but I don't mean educating them to death in the traditional sense.  Make games out of things, such as teaching them the alphabet song first, then find letters in items and say "What's this letter?  If they can't get it, start to sound it out and let them finish.  Do it enough, and they'll get it in no time.  Same with colors, shapes, etc... Also, timing is key, unless you can keep them really interested, doing things in short bursts are better than 1 long time period.

My 3 year old can identify all of the letters of the alphabet and he's actually able to identify a few words (by recognition and repetition).  He can count to 35 and knows specifics about colors, such as "light blue" and "dark blue".  Knows how to call my mums house, and that's actually dialing all 7 digits.  He knows his way around a computer, can start up his own games, and reboot the computer if it needs it (gotta watch him with the printer, cause he knows how that works too! LOL)  He can identify all the basic shapes, and even the pentagon shape! And his sentence structure is amazing for his age.

  I am a single parent, and have been working with both my children from a young age, and make more games out of it than anything.  I bought him to the university library the other day while I did research ( I am a math major), and others were quite impressed at how well behaved he was for just being 3.  

Didn't mean to boast or brag, but just to give an example.

LIke I said, make them think it's a game, but you know better.

I like telling people to ask him "Who taught you how to count to 10?"

He'll respond "David Letterman"  

(in reference to David Letterman's Top 10)

I just love watching their faces light up!

Oh yeah,  never, never scold them.  Not even lightly!  Praise is the key, high 5's, good jobs (thumbs up) and such!

Best wishes to you!

Answer 25

Try flash cards, they helped my nephew when he was having trouble. And try playing games, like buying stickers and everytime  he gets one right he gets to pick out a sticker and as he gets better at his abc's than make the prizes a little better..

Answer 26

First, don't worry. Not all kindergarteners know all of their letters and sounds by now. See if the teacher can lighten up on the homework or give him a reprieve some days. That may help that stress. I also think that he is under that stress and he is shutting down b/c of it. Make it into a game. Show him a lot of things that have that letter in the name of it (words, objects that start with that letter, etc.) If he thinks that it is fun and there is no pressure to learn it, he will do better. Leapfrog has a lot of products that help that phonemic awareness.

Answer 27

walmart has some workbooks, or online www.starfall.com  or pbskids.org

Answer 28

Fisher Price makes a cute desk with magnetic letters.  It's fun to put the letters in the stencils to form words.  We also put the letters on the fridge and went over them several times each evening.

We started when my son was 3 and he could spell many words and write his name before he hit kindergarten so this worked great.