LETTER A -- All About Me
This post is all about the letter A, and our theme is All About Me—a joyful celebration of the unique person God created each child to be. Preschoolers are just beginning to understand themselves as individuals with their own interests, strengths, and stories. When we pause to notice who they are and invite them to share about their lives, children feel seen, valued, and deeply connected.
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In our classrooms, we read stories that celebrate identity and belonging, such as I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont. Children draw self-portraits, practice writing their names, and share things they love—favorite colors, foods, games, and the people who care for them. We remind them that God knows them by name and delights in who they are, which helps build a strong spiritual foundation rooted in unconditional belonging.
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Letter Sounds and Our Zoo-Phonics Friend
Our Zoo-Phonics companion for this week is Allie Alligator. The children pretend to chomp gently with their arms like an alligator while making the short /a/ sound. Movement-based learning helps anchor early phonics in a way that feels natural and playful. If your child enjoys songs and hand motions, you might also try watching The Letter A Song together at home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMybj_fDfWA
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Exploring words like apple, ant, astronaut, alligator, and airplane gives children a chance to stretch out the /a/ sound and begin noticing how letters and sounds work together.
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How We Form the Letter A
Using our Learning Without Tears approach, we introduce both uppercase and lowercase A with simple language that helps children feel confident and capable. For uppercase A, children “start at the top, slide down to the left, go back to the top, slide down to the right, and cross in the middle.” Lowercase a begins with the familiar “magic c,” followed by a gentle upward stroke and a little line down. These motions become even more fun when practiced in sensory trays filled with rice, salt, or sand.
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If you’re curious about supporting early handwriting at home, Learning Without Tears offers family resources here:
https://www.lwtears.com/resources
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Theme Connection: All About Me
As children explore who they are, they begin to express preferences, share their thoughts, and communicate what brings them joy — all skills that support language development and social–emotional growth. In the classroom, we may create simple self-portraits, talk about favorite things, or compare features in a way that honors differences and celebrates the beautiful variety among our preschoolers. Reading stories such as I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont or The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler reinforces the idea that self-love and acceptance are important at every age.
At home, you might enjoy looking through photos together, drawing a picture of your family, or making a “favorites list.” Even simple conversations like “What makes you feel brave?” or “What is something you love about being you?” help nurture self-awareness and confidence.
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Kindergarten Readiness Skill: Sense of Identity (WaKIDS/GOLD Objective 1)
This week’s featured readiness skill is Sense of Identity — the ability to recognize oneself as a unique individual with thoughts, feelings, and abilities. Children who develop a strong sense of identity often approach learning with confidence because they feel safe, valued, and understood.
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We support this objective when we encourage children to share their ideas, notice their strengths, and take pride in their accomplishments. At home, you might try a simple “About Me” activity such as tracing your child’s silhouette on paper and letting them decorate it with drawings of their favorite foods, animals, or activities. These small moments help build a foundation for healthy self-esteem and emotional resilience.
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If you’d like to read more about Washington’s kindergarten readiness framework, you can explore the family-friendly overview here:
https://wsac.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02-13-STEM-Handouts.pdf
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Continuing the Learning at Home
There are many simple ways to reinforce the letter A in everyday routines. You might look for A’s on signs at the grocery store, notice the first letter of your child’s name, or read alphabet books together. Activities like slicing apples for a snack, pretending to be astronauts, or building an “A” out of sticks or blocks also turn letter learning into something meaningful and fun.
Above all, learning in preschool is about connection — between letters and sounds, between ideas and experiences, and between your child and the caring adults who guide them. Thank you for partnering with us as we learn, grow, and discover together.
When you're ready, I’ll begin Letter B — Bears in this same tone and format.
