We all want our children to succeed in learning and the first mini hurdle that they have to overcome is learning the basics like the alphabet and numbers. Yet trying to get a toddler to memorize twenty-six letters, which are all brand new to them, and try to get their pronunciation right is by no means an easy task. The same applies for numbers, there is an infinitive amount of numbers, yet the first time your child counts to ten, you would quite happily forget the rest.

As parents, we all know that a child learning the alphabet and numbers will get them a good standing when getting ready to start foundation class. But, knowing this and teaching it to our children are two very different things.

So how can we help our children learn these basic but vital things?
The best way to help your child learn the alphabet is by reading it to them. It has been proven through decades of research that children who are read to and spoken to have a better understanding and are more knowledgeable.

Start reading to your child on a daily basis and always point to what you are reading. By doing this your child will get used to the pronunciation of words, making them more able to communicate these effectively. By pointing at what you are reading it stimulates visual learners, who may well be struggling with the words alone. It also begins to get your child able to create links to both spoken and written word.

Try to sing the alphabet song. We all know that by putting something to music it makes it nearly unforgettable. (How many of you still remember all the lyrics to a song over twenty years old that you haven't heard for ages?) Sing the song in order to begin with and encourage your child to join in with you. Even if they get the song wrong, congratulate them. This will boost their confidence and will encourage them to continue.

Once your child has got the song memorized in order, try to pick out random letters and see if your child can either continue the song or tell you the letter that came before this.

Don't forget to bring the alphabet into every aspect of their lives. When going around the supermarket, play eye spy with groceries and the alphabet. This also helps to keep your child distracted when going down the sweet and toy aisle!

The same applies with numbers, make it fun and where possible turn it into a song. Show your child what the number five looks like in numerical form and also what five of anything looks like. A great way to build this into their everyday lives is to get them cooking with you, that way they can start counting out basic ingredients.

The key to getting your child to learn these is to keep chipping away at them every day and to make them fun!

Article contributed by Theresea Hughes, creator of http://free-toddlers-activity-and-discipline-guide.com a site dedicated to providing parenting resource articles for toddlers activity & child discipline with positive parenting tips, free kids games, recipes, arts & crafts, including articles about potty training, temper tantrums, kids sleep problems, parent tips for fussy eaters, including free child development toddlers activity and toddlers discipline parenting resources.

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