Should you introduce letters to your preschooler in their order in the alphabet? Surprisingly, no. There are actually better ways to introduce the letters of the alphabet.
In Montessori education, letters are introduced by phonetic sounds rather than letter names. And they’re not introduced in their order within the alphabet. Instead, they’re introduced in an order that allows the child to make many words with the letters he or she has learned.
There are variations among Montessori schools, so there isn’t a definite order that must be used. Any of the following orders will give a good foundation for reading.
Here’s the order used in Montessori schools where I worked (introducing the letters 2, 3, or 4 at a time) as well as suggested in Montessori Matters by Sister Mary Ellen Carinato et al:
s m t a p f c
r b l i g n d
h j k w o u v
y z x q e
Here’s the order suggested in How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin:
First set: c m a t
Second set: s r i p
Third set: b f o g
Fourth set: h j u l
Fifth set: d w e n
Sixth set: k q v x y z
Here’s an order used in some other Montessori schools:
First set: m s a t
Second set: b f o x
Third set: w i g l j
Fourth set: c u p z
Fifth set: h e n r d
Sixth set: v k q y
And here’s another order used by some Montessori schools:
First set: r a m f
Second set: b i t g
Third set: p o n l
Fourth set: h u s c
Fifth set: d e x q y
Sixth set: z v w j k
Some Montessorians use one of the above orders but first introduce the first letter of the child’s name. Of course, that works best if the child’s name starts with a simple phonetic sound rather than a phonogram like “ch.” Here are links for directions to follow for introducing phonetic sounds: a description of how to introduce sandpaper letters, a video of a Montessori mom pronouncing each letter’s phonetic sound, and a video on how to introduce sandpaper letters.
I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
Thank you so much for your post!
My daughter’s preschool introduced letters out of order as well, but I like the Montessori method a little better. I will definitely be incorporating that method into my lessons!
Thanks again!
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Thanks so much for your comment, Jennifer! I’m glad the ideas are helpful for you!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
Deb, Thank very much for all your very useful posts. Your blog has became in such a obliged source of consultation.
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Sandy! I really appreciate you following my blog!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
Thanks so much! I linked your post on my Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zagreb/Leptir/156893877945
I hope you do not mind!
Nataša
http://leptir-mojpribor.blogspot.com/
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Thanks SO much, Natasa! I really appreciate your linking my post on your Facebook page!
Wow! This is awesome! I have a 1st grader who has difficulties saying some letters. I am also working with my Kindergartner with letters. I think I will use this method and go back over the letters with them again.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love helping out with the Hip Homeschool hop!
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Thanks, Joy! Yes, using one of these orders does work well. For a child who’s ready, even the first 4 sounds in any of the above lists can be rearranged to make 3-letter phonetic words. Then you can sound out the letters in the word and begin blending sounds into words.
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
hi deb! i’m very happy that i chanced upon your group in the mommy bloggers club. for if not, i wouldn’t have seen this very informative site of yours. i’ve always been interested and open to the montessori way of teaching. i almost became a montessori teacher but had to turn down the offer to teach in order to join the corporate world. but that’s such a long story. and i’m a stay-at-home mom now.
anyway, i will make sure to come back to this site and refer to the principles every now and then. i know, it will only further enhance my efforts in teaching my little girl.
great job, deb! Godspeed!
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Thanks SO much, Mia! I’m very happy you found me as well!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
This is so interesting! My youngest is struggling with learning her letters. I will definilty try these groupings out. Very timely as always!!! My oldest starts preschool this week so I’ll have some one on one time to work with her! I unplugged for the Holiday weekend so I see I’ve got some reading to catch up on here!
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Thanks, Michelle! I’m so glad this came at the right time for you! Wishing you a wonderful school year!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
Deb, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I appreciate it!
Thanks for visiting, Janet! I hope you have a great school year!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
This is so interesting. My last school used Recipe For Reading, I was not a fan. I use the first list as well, from my AMS training. My town’s public school uses Handwriting Without Tears. All have different reasoning. The glory about working with your own child is your ability to adjust to their needs. For now, I’m going in order from my training. Great post!
Thanks, Jessie! I love hearing about your experiences! The schools I taught at were AMS-oriented, so I was always the most comfortable with the first list as well.
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Montessori-Compatible Language Activities
This is great! I forgot all about this. I am doing prek at home and did a-d and was just about to look up the “sets” online. Would you mind giving me permission to use this in my next magazine & online? BTW – here from MomLopp Follow Fridays… now following you
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Thanks SO much, Heather! I’m happy to give you permission to use this in your magazine and online – and honored to have you wanting to use it!
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Dads Can Help with Child-Led Learning
Hi, I’m here from the mom loop. I found this to be an interesting post. As a former reading recovery teacher, we introduced letters starting with the ones that the child seemed to have some control of, so it was different for each child (of course, we were working 1 on 1). I think that it’s interesting how this method varies, gives me something to think about. I’m interested in learning more about Montessori methods now that I’m a SAHM to two little boys.
Thanks for your comment, Jackie! I love hearing how different teachers approach introducing letters. Within Montessori, there are definitely some variations among both training programs and schools. As long as they’re following Montessori principles, most of the variations aren’t important.
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Dads Can Help with Child-Led Learning
This is a very interesting topic. As an English Language Arts teacher, I agree that learning the sound that letters make is more important than knowing the order they come in the alphabet, initially in their learning. I wonder how much of a difference it makes, however, whether we teach them the letter sounds in alphabet order or in a random order?
Thanks so much for your comment, Maria! Teaching letter sounds in one of the Montessori orders helps the child form words quickly. But many people obviously have had success introducing letter sounds in alphabetical order. I really don’t think the exact order is an essential focus, but I do think using one of the orders from Montessori education is helpful.
Deb Chitwood recently posted..Dads Can Help with Child-Led Learning
I have to say, as a mom to a learning reader who is very creative, she tends to memorize it when its taught in order, and she really isn’t *learning* it. I can definitely see the benefit this method will be in teaching her more effectively. Thanks!
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Thanks so much, Kate! Have a wonderful New Year!
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This got my attention as I am reading a book by Ruth Beechick and liked the idea of teaching the phonetic sounds rather than the letter names to my 2 and 3 yr. old girls. I love that you shared the orders to present the letters. I am printing this out to put in my preschool binder. Thank you!
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Thanks, Leah! I’m happy to hear it was helpful for you!
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I had to come revisit this post since now I have materials to work with. woo hoo!
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That’s so awesome, Jackie! HAVE FUN!
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I can’t believe I never thought of introducing the letters and sounds out of order. SO smart. Thank you for sharing this info!
I can’t believe I just found this! Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you’ve found a system that works well for you!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Kindergarten Readiness Activities
[...] Kingdom of the Pink Princesses made alphabet/sound boxes using boxes from IKEA. For a similar system, you can choose the order to present letters/phonetic sounds (and label your alphabet boxes) according to one of the systems in this post: In What Order Should You Introduce Letters to Your Preschooler? [...]
I think the Bob Books use the second list. I didn’t know it was a specific METHOD but I recognize the list from the list of “letter sounds” they put in the front of each book!
My daughter is 2 and already knows her alphabet forwards and backwards. People are either upset or in complete awe that a 2 year old can read. I’m using the Bob Books to get her to start reading the LITTLE (and very important) words inbetween…and, the, has, etc.!
We started using the Your Baby Can Read program when she was 6 month and it seems to have worked but we started putting alphabet things up EVERYWHERE too. She even has a sheet covered in the alphabet! LOL. I figured there are 52 weeks and 26 letters so we focused on a letter for 2 weeks (pointing out anything that started with the letter and writing on her “wall” when we got home.
I’ve basically been winging it!!!
I’ve been poking around looking for a real method or curriculum to start at the beginning of the year for her! I think I’m liking the sound of the Montessori Method more and more!!!
Thanks for your comment, DianeMargaret! Your daughter sounds amazing! I think you’d find Montessori very helpful for her. Here’s a page with links to some of my main Montessori resource posts: http://livingmontessorinow.com/about-montessori/montessori-resources/
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Montessori-Inspired Kindergarten Readiness Activities
My son just turned 6 in September and has started Kinder. He is having a hard time with learning his letters. Is it too late to start working with him on this method?
Thanks for your comment, Leanna! Hands-on learning is especially helpful with children who have difficulty learning a concept another way. Using alphabet boxes could increase the interest: http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/12/26/montessori-monday-diy-alphabet-box/.
Whenever you can add an area of interest to your son’s learning (such as activities matching car brands to letter sounds, etc., for a vehicle lover), that’s helpful as well. I have lots of unit studies and Pinterest boards with activities that use themes: http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/08/23/should-you-use-unit-studies/. You could have your son choose an area of interest and add as many of the letter activities in that theme as possible. I hope that helps!
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Our now two-and-a-half year old picked up the letter sounds and names before it even occurred to us to show her. I think it just depends on how much stimulation on both fronts they are getting. I look at it like a second or third language; if you show them both at the same time in a natural fashion they probably won’t have confusion; it will just be another way the world is to them.
Thanks for your comment, Tiffany! You have a very bright little girl! Most children don’t have any problem being introduced to both sounds and letter names at the same time. But for some children it does create confusion, which is why we introduce the sounds in Montessori education. Most children seem to pick up the letter names without problem. Of course, each child is unique, and it’s nice that you can do what works best with your own child.
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[...] and certain letters are used less frequently so they will not be taught until later. Here is a list of order to teach writing letters based on Montessori education. You should teach and reinforce [...]
[...] them to learn first. Living Montessori has all the answers according to the Montessori curriculum. Including letter groups to learn together and the order. Plus which is better to learn first, recognizing the letters or letter [...]