Helping kids learn how to spell their names

When I started homeschooling my oldest when he was just under three, I decided that I wanted him to learn to spell his name.  I had already been singing his name to the tune of Bingo since about birth.  But I wanted him to recognize what it looked like as well.

So we started to label everything. 

Sock & undies bin?  Check.

Outdoor bin that holds sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, swim goggles, winter hat and mittens?  Perfect.  Then the kids wouldn't fight over their belongings. 

We sing songs spelling their names.  This is pretty easy with five letter names.  We get pretty creative with how many syllables the song BINGO can have.  One of our kids has nine letters, 2 have seven letters, 2 have six letters, and one has five.  Then we started singing their middle names too.  But we don't put labels with middle names around the house.

There was a Mama loved a boy and Tater was his name-oh!
T-A-T-E-R
T-A-T-E-R
T-A-T-E-R
and Tater was his name-oh!

This can work with numerous letters, not just five, with the right timing.

Or you can find a song that works better.

The Winnie the Pooh song works well for seven letter names.  Natalie. 
Fur Elise works for nine letter names.  Elizabeth.  Gabrielle.  Nathaniel.

London Bridge:

N-A-T-A-L-I-E Natalie, Natalie.
N-A-T-A-L-I-E Nat-UH-lee-ee.

M-E-L-I-S-S-A Melissa, Melissa.
M-E-L-I-S-S-A Muh-LIS-uh-uh.

Frere Jacques for eight letters or four.
A-N-N-A-L-I-S-A
That's your name.  That's your name.
Annalisa, Annalisa,
Sing your name.  Sing your name.

R-U-B-Y!   R-U-B-Y!
That's your name.  That's your name.
Ruby-dooby-dooby Ruby-dooby-dooby
Sing your name.  Sing your name.

Photo from PotteryBarnKids.com

Wood letters painted on their wall.  Or the foam ones so you don't have to paint.  Either way, they work for me!






This post is linked at Tuesday's Tip Jar, Tuesday's Tips,  WFMW, and Thursday's Tips.