Letter of the Week Curriculum: Alphabet Lessons You Can Do at Home with Toddlers

Welcome to Letter of the Week Wednesday—

your new weekly series for hands-on, play-based, sensory-driven activities to help your child learn the alphabet at home.

I’ve spent over 20 years in education and have worked with thousands of children.  Teaching at home can be FUN and manageable!

Join us for our Letter of the Week series—starting with S.

Each week builds essential early reading skills, along with fine motor development and early math foundations.

It’s casual, simple, playful, and created with busy caregivers and enthusiastic toddlers in mind.

Whether you’re homeschooling, supplementing preschool, or just looking for meaningful ways to connect with your toddler, this series makes early literacy doable and joyful.

Each week will include:

• a suggested weekly rhythm 

• a suggested daily rhythm 

• letter poem

• letter and sound cards

• upper/lowercase letter sort

• fine motor booklet

• letter building mats

• incorporation of early math skills

...and more!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why start with S?

Beginning with S rather than starting at the traditional “A” is intentional and rooted in how young children learn to read. The goal isn’t to move alphabetically; it’s to introduce letters in an order that allows children to blend sounds and begin reading real words as quickly as possible.

The sequence used in this curriculum is designed to:

•Introduce high‑utility consonants early Letters like s, m, t, and p appear frequently in early words children can decode.

•Build blending opportunities right away When children learn a strategic set of letters first, they can immediately begin putting sounds together to read simple words (like sat, mat, tap, or sip). This early success is incredibly motivating.

•Support phonemic awareness and confidence Children experience the excitement of “cracking the code” sooner, which strengthens their understanding of how letters and sounds work together.

Rather than memorizing the alphabet in order, this approach builds skills in a purposeful sequence, giving your child meaningful practice with real reading from the very beginning.

How do I know what to do or say?

Each daily rhythm includes a gentle, optional script to guide you.

•Anything in bold is something you can do.

•Anything in “quotation marks” is something you can say.

Use the language as written, adapt it, or make it your own, whatever feels most natural for you and your child. There is no wrong way to do this!

What if we don’t finish the week?

That’s completely okay. Follow your child, not the calendar. Toddlers’ attention spans grow over time, and learning happens in small, meaningful moments. Try practicing during everyday routines, on a car ride, at snack time, during bath, or while winding down for bed.

Does each week build on the last?

Yes! Each week gently builds on the skills introduced before. That said, you can jump in at any letter and still benefit from the activities. The goal is exposure and confidence, not perfection.. 

Do you have a supply list?

We always encourage you to start with what you already have at home. A suggested supply list is included for families who want to invest in a few frequently used materials, but it is never required.

How long should each day/lesson last?

Daily lessons are designed to last about 10–20 minutes, depending on your child’s age, interests, and abilities. Some days will be shorter, some longer and that’s exactly how it should be.

What if my child can’t sit still? 

That’s normal, children are made to move! Learning doesn’t need to happen sitting at a table. Let your child stand, wiggle, jump, swing, or walk while learning. A wobble board, exercise band, or movement break can actually support focus and engagement.

When will the next week be ready?

New lessons are released every Wednesday..

Do they have to master each lesson by the end of the week?

No. Mastery is not the goal. Toddlers learn best through repetition and ongoing exposure. This Letter of the Week curriculum is a meaningful introduction designed to build confidence and lay a strong foundation for future reading readiness.

What do I do with all the materials after the week is over?

I am saving everything week-to-week in a binder or folder.  This way, I can review and make a ‘book’ out of the poems, resources, mats and review sheets.

Why Play-Based Learning Works

Toddlers learn best through movement, touch, and joyful repetition. This series blends:

• Phonics (letter sounds and awareness)

• Phonemic awareness (hearing and stretching sounds)

• Fine motor development (pre-writing skills)

• Number sense (counting and comparing)

All through play. All at home. All with you.

Join the Journey

Follow along each week as we explore the alphabet—one playful letter at a time.

Next up: Letter A (yes, we’re going out of order to match seasonal themes and toddler interests!).

Tag @aplayfilledlife on Instagram and share your child’s creations. Let’s build early literacy together—one joyful moment at a time.

Download the letter Ss curriculum for FREE. Click HERE!