Why We Don’t Teach A to Z: A Better Way to Learn the Alphabet
- Anita Anthony-Stoutt
- Jul 6
- 3 min read
Rethinking the ABCs 💭
When most people think of learning the alphabet, they picture the classic “A, B, C...” song. While that’s a fun way to introduce letters, it’s not the most effective way to help children become confident readers. At Connect the Dots Learning Academy, we follow a research-based sequence grounded in the Science of Reading—one that honors how the brain is wired to learn language. The result? Children build stronger skills, faster progress, and a deeper love for reading.
In this Post:
Brain-based learning
The letter order we use
Tips for home
Download the free family guide
The Brain Science Behind Letter Learning 🧠
Reading isn’t something our brains are naturally wired to do—it’s a skill that must be taught and built, step by step.
Neuroscience shows us that:
Children’s brains are most responsive to patterns and sounds they hear frequently in speech.
Teaching high-utility consonants and vowels first helps the brain start forming connections between sounds and print (a process called orthographic mapping).
Repetition and mastery of sound-letter relationships create strong neural pathways that support future reading fluency.
That’s why the A-Z sequence doesn’t serve early learners well. Instead, we begin with letters that appear often in simple, decodable words and that are easiest for young children to pronounce, blend, and write.
The Order We Teach Letters:
Based on How Children Learn Best ✅
Set | Letters Introduced | Sample Words | Why These Letters? |
Set 1 | a,m,s,t | mat, sat, tap | Easy to pronounce and blend; strong sound clarity |
Set 2 | p,f,i,n | pin, fan, sip | Common in early speech and blends easily |
Set 3 | o, d, c, u | cod, cup, pod | Introduces short vowels and more CVC possibilities |
Set 4 | g, b, e | beg, bug, cab | Expands word options and introduces short /e/ sound |
Set 5 | s (/s/ only), k | sip, kit | Reinforces clear /s/ and introduces /k/ sound |
Set 6 | s (/z/), h | dogs, has, hat | Introduces second “s” sound and the /h/ sound |
Set 7 | r (part 1) | rip, red, rat | Initial /r/ sound – easier for blending |
Set 8 | r (part 2) | crib, drop, brag | Blends with /r/ in second position (tricky combo) |
Set 9 | l (part 1) | leg, lab, lot | Clear beginning /l/ sound in simple CVC words |
Set 10 | l (part 2) | flat, slip, slug | More complex blends with /l/ following consonants |
Set 11 | w, j | wet, win, jam | Adds new initial sounds to expand word variety |
Set 12 | y, x (/ks/), qu (/kw/) | yes, box, quit | Trickier and less frequent sounds |
Set 13 | v, z | vet, zip | Final set of less frequent letters for mastery |
Some blends—like cr, br, fl, and sl—are trickier for young readers because the sounds “slide together.” We teach these in two stages to help your child build confidence and strong decoding skills.
Sounds First, Then Names 🔉
Children don’t need to master the names of letters before reading—they need to hear the sounds, link them to letters, and blend them into words. For example:
Knowing that “m” says /m/ is far more helpful than knowing it’s called "em."
This sound-first approach gives kids the tools to read real words like mat, sip, and bug from the very beginning.
How to Support This at Home 🏡
You can help your child by making sound practice part of everyday routines. Try these playful ideas:
🧲 Build words with letter magnets on the fridge
🗣️ Play “I Spy” with beginning sounds (e.g., “I spy something that starts with /f/”)
✍️ Write letters in shaving cream, sand, or sidewalk chalk
📚 Point out letter sounds when reading aloud together
🎉 Want a printable chart to guide you? Click the downloadable file below!
Keep it on the fridge, in a learning bin, or by your child’s reading space!
At Connect the Dots Learning Academy, we believe reading is a gift every child can unlock. By introducing letters in a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate way, we help learners build the confidence and skills they need for reading success—one sound at a time.
Because the journey to literacy doesn’t begin with A-Z—it begins with connection, care, and a strong foundation.
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