Letters Clare Walters Learning letters and their sounds is a gradual process, but there are lots of things you can do to help your child.

Spelling and letters

I Spy - the most famous letter game of all and a great way to teach letter sounds. Just say: "I spy something that starts with 't'" (for tissue, perhaps) and see if your child can guess what you're thinking.

Colourful letters - draw a big outline of a letter on a piece of paper and let your child colour or paint it in. Then cut it out and stick it up or join it to other letters in an alphabet garland.

Read together - borrow some first alphabet books from your local library or friends.

Alphabet food - buy a packet of plain biscuits and writing icing, then draw the initial letter of everyone's name in your family on a separate biscuit. Or squeeze their initials in ketchup on mashed potato.

My book - make your child a letter book by sticking pictures of objects that begin with each letter to individual sheets of paper, writing the letter (in lower case) at the top and securing the pages together with a ribbon.

A set of alphabet fridge magnets is invaluable

A set of alphabet fridge magnets is invaluable. Use them to show your child how to spell his name or simply choose a letter of the day and sound out words that begin with that letter.

Disclaimer: The BBC Parenting site is provided for your general information only. The information contained on this site should not be treated as a substitute for medical, legal or other professional advice. The BBC is not responsible or liable for the contents of any websites of third parties which are listed on this site.