Letter Sounds vs Letter Names: Which Should You Teach First?

Teaching letter names and letter sounds is an important part of early literacy, but many parents wonder which should come first. This guide explains the difference between letter names and letter sounds, when children typically learn each skill, and simple play-based activities that help preschool and kindergarten children build a strong foundation for phonics and early reading.

One of the most common questions parents ask is:

"Should I teach my child letter names or letter sounds first?"

The answer is that both are important, but they work together in different ways.

Letter names help children recognize and identify the alphabet, while letter sounds help them begin reading words. Rather than treating them as separate skills, Most children first become familiar with letter names through songs, books, and everyday print, then gradually learn the most common sound each letter represents. Teaching both together in playful ways gives children the strongest foundation for reading.

The goal isn't to rush through the alphabet but to build confidence and understanding one letter at a time.

Understanding the difference between letter names and letter sounds also helps parents know when their child is ready to begin phonics instruction.

Although they are closely connected, letter names and letter sounds are different skills.

Letter Names

Letter names are what we call each letter of the alphabet.

For example:

• A is called "A"

• B is called "Bee"

• M is called "Em"

Knowing letter names helps children:

• Recognize letters

• Sing the alphabet song.

• Identify letters in books and signs.

• Learn alphabetical order

Letter Sounds

Letter sounds are the sounds letters make when we read and spell words.

For example:

• B says /b/

• M says /m/

• S says /s/

Before children connect letter sounds to printed letters, it's helpful if they can hear the first sound in spoken words. Explore our Beginning Sounds Activities for Preschoolers for playful listening games that build this important pre-reading skill.

Letter sounds help children:

• Blend sounds into words.

• Decode simple books

• Spell words

• Build phonics skills

For most preschoolers, letter names usually come first because they are easier to teach through songs, books, puzzles, and everyday conversations.

Once children can recognize several letters, begin introducing the sound each letter most commonly makes.

For example:

• "This is the letter M."

• "M makes the /m/ sound."

• "Can you think of something that starts with /m/?"

Teaching names and sounds together helps children understand how spoken language connects to print.

Knowing letter names alone doesn't teach children how to read.

To read words like:

• cat

• sun

• dog

Children need to understand the sounds each letter represents.

For example:

C → /k/

A → /a/

T → /t/

These sounds blend together to make cat.

Before children learn phonics, they first develop phonological awareness—the ability to hear and play with the sounds in spoken language. Learn more in our What Is Phonological Awareness? Parent's Guide to Pre-Reading Skills.

This is why learning letter sounds is such an important step before beginning phonics and reading.

If you're ready to introduce phonics, read our Phonics & Letter Sounds for Beginners guide to learn how children use letter sounds to read their first words.

🎁 Free Letter Sounds Printables for Preschool & Kindergarten

Ready to help your child practice letter sounds at home?

Our Free Letter Sounds Printables for Preschool & Kindergarten collection includes printable practice books, assessments, checklists, progress trackers, and beginning sound activities that help children build confidence with letter sounds before moving on to blending and early reading.

Inside you'll find:

• 📖 Letter Sounds Activities Practice Book

• ✅ Letter Sounds Checklist

• 📝 Letter Sounds Assessment

• 📊 Letter Sounds Progress Tracker

• 🎯 Beginning Sounds Activities

Whether your child is just beginning to learn letter sounds or needs extra practice, these free printable resources make learning simple, engaging, and fun.

👉 Explore the Free Letter Sounds Printables Collection

Every child develops at their own pace, but many children follow a similar pattern.

Ages 2–3

Children often:

• Enjoy alphabet songs

• Notice letters in books

• Recognize the first letter of their name.

Ages 3–4

Children may:

• Recognize several letter names.

• Begin matching letters

• Learn a few common letter sounds.

Ages 4–5

Children usually:

• Recognize most uppercase and lowercase letters.

• Know many letter sounds.

• Connect letters with beginning sounds.

Ages 5–6

Children often:

• Know most letter names and sounds.

• Blend sounds into simple words.

• Begin reading beginner books.

1. Start With Your Child's Name

Children are naturally interested in their own name.

Talk about:

• The first letter

• Its name

• Its sound

2. Sing the Alphabet Song

Songs make remembering letter names fun and memorable.

Pause occasionally to point to each letter as you sing.

3. Read Alphabet Books

Choose books that show each letter alongside familiar pictures.

For example:

B is for Bear

Talk about both the letter name and its beginning sound.

4. Play Beginning Sound Games

Ask:

"What starts with the /b/ sound?"

Look around the room for:

• Ball

• Book

• Bag

5. Match Letters to Pictures

Use alphabet cards and picture cards.

Children match:

M → Moon

S → Sun

D → Dog

6. Build Letters

Use:

• Playdough

• Craft sticks

• Magnetic letters

• Pipe cleaners

Say both the letter name and its sound while building each letter.

7. Go on an Alphabet Hunt

Find letters on:

• Street signs

• Food packaging

• Books

• Labels

Ask:

"What letter is this?"

"What sound does it make?"

8. Keep Practice Short and Fun

Five to ten minutes of playful practice each day is more effective than long lessons.

Celebrate effort and progress rather than aiming for perfection.

Avoid these common pitfalls when teaching letters.

Teaching only letter names

Children also need to learn the sounds letters represent.

Introducing too many letters at once

Focus on a small group of letters before adding more.

Expecting every letter to have only one sound

Some letters, like C and G, can make more than one sound. Start by teaching the most common sound first.

Turning practice into drills

Children learn best through songs, books, games, and everyday experiences.

Comparing children

Every child develops alphabet knowledge at their own pace.

Your child may be making good progress if they:

• Recognize familiar letters

• Name letters correctly

• Say the most common sound for familiar letters.

• Find letters in books and signs.

• Match letters with pictures

• Begin identifying beginning sounds in words.

These skills show your child is building a strong foundation for phonics and early reading.

Should I teach letter names or sounds first?

Most children benefit from learning letter names first, then gradually connecting each letter to its most common sound.

Can children learn both together?

Yes. Many playful activities naturally teach both letter names and sounds at the same time.

Are letter sounds more important for reading?

Letter sounds are essential for decoding words, but letter names also support alphabet knowledge and overall literacy development.

What if my child mixes up letter names and sounds?

This is completely normal. With regular practice, children gradually learn when to use a letter's name and when to use its sound.

How much practice should we do each day?

Five to ten minutes of fun, hands-on practice each day is usually enough for preschool-aged children.

Learning letter names and letter sounds isn't about choosing one over the other. Both skills work together to help children become confident readers, and both deserve attention as children build early literacy skills.

Start by helping your child recognize letters, then gradually introduce the sounds they make through books, games, songs, and everyday conversations. By keeping learning playful and pressure-free, you'll help build the strong alphabet and phonics foundation children need for future reading success.

➜ Continue Learning

Now that your child understands the difference between letter names and letter sounds, it's time to start using those sounds to build early reading skills.

Alphabet Skills Resources

• 📖 Alphabet Skills Activities Practice Book

• ✅ Alphabet Skills Checklist

• 📊 Letter Recognition Tracker

• 📝 Alphabet Skills Assessment

👉 Explore the Free Alphabet Printables Collection

Letter Sounds Resources

• 📖 Letter Sounds Activities Practice Book

• ✅ Letter Sounds Checklist

• 📝 Letter Sounds Assessment

• 📊 Letter Sounds Progress Tracker

👉 Start with our 🎯 Beginning Sounds Activities

👉 Explore the Free Letter Sounds Printables Collection

📖 Practice This Skill

Download our Free Alphabet Skills Activities Practice Book for fun printable activities that help children learn letter names, letter sounds, and early alphabet skills.

✅ Track Progress

Get instant access to our Free Alphabet Skills Checklist, Letter Recognition Tracker, and Alphabet Skills Assessment to monitor your child's alphabet learning.

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