Especially for Parents of Toddlers: Letters And Symbols Are Everywhere!

Learning that symbols and printed letters have meaning is an important early learning skill for toddlers. Symbols and letters are everywhere in a toddler’s world. It is important to help her begin to understand what they mean.

As you move around your community together, you will find opportunities to help your child understand signs. For example, she can learn that a red sign with the word STOP means that a car or bus must stop.

Signs (stop signs) and symbols (fast-food logos) can help your toddler learn that symbols and words have meaning. She will benefit by seeing the connections between symbols and letters and the things they represent.

How to do the practice:
Discover ways to help your toddler see these connections as you go out in your community together.

• Begin by noticing the words or signs that catch your toddler’s attention. Perhaps she will notice the blinking Open sign in a shop window or the red stoplight hanging over the street.
• Follow your child’s lead and comment on what she notices. “I see you looking at that blinking sign in the window.”
• Explain what the sign means. “That sign says Open and it means we can go in the store and buy something.”
• Go to the door and show her that it is open and you can go inside.
• The next time you see an Open sign on a store, point it out to your toddler and remind her what it means.
• When you see a sign or symbol that you think your toddler will like, point it out. Explain what it means (an ice cream cone, a steaming coffee cup, a lighted EXIT sign, etc.).

How do you know the practice worked?

• Does your toddler more frequently notice signs or symbols?
• Does your toddler enjoy looking at the signs you show her?
• Does your toddler ask you about the signs/symbols she sees?

Source: Center for Early Literacy Learning