Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten ABC Center Ideas and Resources.
ABC Center
How to set up an ABC Center in your preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten classroom. Literacy ideas and activities for teaching letter recognition and the alphabet.
Do you ever change out the items in your ABC/Literacy center? Yes, I change out the items according to the students interests and ability levels. The items pictured above are those I use most in the beginning of the year. Keep reading for close-up pictures and a list of the materials used in this center.
Best Toys for Learning the Alphabet
1. Uppercase Alphabet Beads and Lowercase Alphabet Beads
2. ABC Lacing Sweets
3. Alphabet Fishing Game
4. Letter Construction
5. Wikki Stix
6. Upper and Lowercase Magnetic Alphabet Letters
- Alphabet I-Spy Bottles: Read the tutorial for creating your own I-spy bottles HERE.
- ABC Center Sign: Learn about the benefits of using center signs HERE.
The tutorial for creating your own magnetic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree can be found at the bottom of this page.
Items on first shelf
- ABC Lacing Beads
- Highway Letter Mats printed from Making Learning Fun, cars from US Toy
- I have the Uppercase Letter Builders from Lakeshore but I would prefer this Letter Construction set.
- Round ABC Lacing Beads
Items on bottom shelf
- ABC Fishing
- ABC Cards with Wikki Stix
- ABC Puppy Chow Game (see directions below)
Magnetic Letter Storage: Our magnetic letters are stored in an Odds ‘n Ends Parts Organizer. Each drawer is labeled with a letter sticker so the children know where to put the letters. Having your letters sorted saves time when you’re trying to spell student names, sight words, or create magnetic letter activities.
Alphabet Puppy Chow Game: This idea is from Dr. Jean, I have adapted it to include a recording sheet. Take several small stuffed dogs (I used mini-Beanies from McDonald’s) and attach a button magnet to the end of each dog’s nose with E6000 glue. Next, purchase several dog bowls from the Dollar Store. Place magnetic letters in an empty dog bone box. Give each student in your small group a bowl full of letters and a stuffed dog. Students will identify letters their dogs “eat” from the bowl and record them on their recording sheet with Do-A-Dot markers.
Free ABC Puppy Chow Printable
Click on the picture above to download the ABC Puppy Chow Recording Sheet
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Magnetic Letter Tree: Your students will have a blast re-telling the story of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and placing the letters of their names, their friends names, or sight words on this magnetic tree. To make your own Chicka Chicka tree see the directions below or you can purchase a pre-made Velcro version in the the resources section below. Students can record the letters they place on the tree using the free printable recording sheet available below.
Directions for making Chicka Chicka Tree:
Materials: Two coffee cans of the same size, packing tape, wood grain contact paper, florist foam, Exacto knife, fake fern plants.
Tape the two coffee cans together, one on top of the other. Wrap the wood grain contact paper around the coffee cans. Take the lid off the coffee can on top and stuff with florist foam making sure that the foam reaches the very top of the can, then replace the lid. Using the Exacto knife make slits in the lid and push the fern plants down into the slits until they are secure in the florist foam.
Free Printable Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Recording Sheet
Click on the picture above to download the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Recording Sheet
