AlphaBeginnings provides activities that encourage independence and fun that is centered around a topic of curiosity ... animals!

We offer support through our resource books, website, and social media to help parents/educators feel confident and (hopefully) excited for this adventure!

AlphaBeginnings teaches the alphabet in Common Use Order (instead of alphabetical order) through literature-based instruction with letter sounds being more important than letter names. This program includes letters, shapes, numbers, colors, sign language, art, science (animal pictures/facts), reading, writing, math, language arts, games, inspirational quotes, vocabulary, phonics, alpha-letter chart, lesson plans, family flyers, assessments, circle time posters, and more!

Common Use Order is the order that letters are used the most down to the ones used the least. Learning letters in the order they are most commonly seen in print creates a faster learning curve. Everyday things (like signs, labels, etc.) become a teachable moment. 

Here is the order: 

E, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R, D, L, C, U, M, W, F, G, Y, P, B, V, K, J, X, Q, Z.

 Names of letters are not necessary to read or write. Since reading is a group of letter sounds blended together (ex: "cat" is /kat/ not "see-ay-tee"), presenting letter sounds before letter names are most helpful. Introducing names first can interfere with successful decoding (the ability to transfer words to speech) and can cause confusion. It is okay to teach letter names as long as it doesn't become the focus.  

AlphaBeginnings reading program includes a letter chart that helps learners remember these sounds. 

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 It teaches the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language. It is best to teach short sounds before long sounds as well as first introducing words that follow a pattern like "cat, sat, hat" and "hit, sit, bit."  

"I Read! Beginner Phonics Reader" follows this format. After completing 5 AlphaBeginnings activity books in 5 weeks, take a review week to read one chapter in the phonics reader. Word families are introduced in common use order. Each chapter is color coded to help keep your phonics adventure organized. 

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 Well, here is an overview of what the Center for Professional Education of Teachers has to say about it ...  

• Crucial component for reading comprehension and literacy development
• Anchor connecting various critical reading skills (Deeper understanding of phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency)
• Enhances recognition and discernment of sounds within words (phonological awareness)
• Gives ability to detect word structures and pronunciation nuances (to effectively apply phonics rules during reading)
• Swift and accurate word recognition (contributing to reading speed and fluency
• Enhances reading comprehension through word recognition & meanings within a text. 
• Without it, readers will likely encounter difficulties in grasping the core of what they are reading, ultimately hindering overall comprehension.

"Heard the Word? AlphaBeginnings Vocabulary Words" has a set of vocabulary words with definitions as well as a set of vocabulary cards for each book in the series.

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CLICK HERE for a FREE pdf of the vocabulary lists. 

 Stories are front and center. They give context to information, create emotional connection, and help with higher memory retention. People love stories. We remember more content from a book or movie (which is a visual story) than from a speech. Literature-based instruction creates an environment for children naturally to want to keep learning because our brains our wired for storytelling.   

Stories are front and center. They give context to information, create emotional connection, and help with higher memory retention. People love stories. We remember more content from a book or movie (which is a visual story) than from a speech. Literature-based instruction creates an environment for children naturally to want to keep learning because our brains our wired for storytelling. 

Research shows that it helps students become better readers, writers, and thinkers (Tunnel & Jacobs, 1989). The educator facilitates understanding and growth in reading skills like comprehension, phonetic awareness, vocabulary, and parts of a book.

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 Also known as "centers," learning stations are areas in the classroom with different activities that small groups of learners can take turns completing.  

Here are some benefits to this method of teaching:

• Students take ownership of their learning
• Skills/concepts are reinforced through play
• Students can interact with each other through varied experiences
• Provides a space to practice social skills
• Builds community
• Teaches responsibility
• Offers the educator time to observe individual student's progress and modify activities to meet students' needs

"I Lead! AlphaBeginnings Resource Guide" includes weekly lesson plans for each learning station for every letter and review week. They are color coded to correspond to the I Read! Beginner Phonics Reader for organization and consistency.

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 Circle time is how a day starts in the classroom. The educator is in front of the wall containing the circle time posters and calendar. Types of activities include songs, calendar, letter/shape/color/number of the week, sign language, etc. This will look different for the different types of classrooms (Ex: homeschool vs. traditional).  

Here are some benefits to this method of teaching:

• Fosters social development
• builds confidence
• Reinforces classroom material
• Enhances listening skills
• Creates a sense of community
• Improves focus
• Develops language skills

"I Lead! AlphaBeginnings Resource Guide" has a set of circle time posters and each activities edition includes a skills page to be posted in the circle time area.

CLICK HERE for more information.

 "To some extent, we all use sign language to support our spoken communication. Whether that's waving to someone or pointing towards an object, these gestures are very natural in our everyday lives."   (Learning Journal)

Communication is essential and sometimes challenging for all people and relationships, even for our youngest humans. This is one reason introducing sign language to early learners is valuable.

Here are some benefits to introducing this method of teaching:

• Bilingual can strengthen cognitive function
• Offers an alternative workable form of communication (especially those who can't express themselves verbally
• Broadens their awareness of different people
• Can help encourage verbal speech
• Can help facilitate learning
• Helps children be more understanding and sensitive
• Improves social skills by building confidence and self-esteem
• Decreases communication frustration
• Helps children remember words
• Allows adults to better respond to children's needs

"I Lead! AlphaBeginnings Resource Guide" has a set of American Sign Language circle time posters for letters and numbers.

CLICK HERE for more information.