Learning the letter A is exciting for kids because it is the first letter of the alphabet. Many can sing the alphabet song long before they can recognize letters and when they begin to put the two together, a whole new world opens up for them!

I am a firm believer that preschool and kindergarten-aged kids should be allowed to explore reading with little pressure and it is my job to surround them with learning opportunities.

Learning the Letter A: First Step to Reading!

For this post on learning the letter A, I’ve divided ideas into four main groups.

• Letter recognition printables
• Letter A stories and books
• Free letter A worksheets
• Letter A activities for kindergarten and preschool.

Letter Recognition Printables

Letter recognition printables are always fun. These free worksheets also include cutting and tracing activities with ant and alligator graphics. Click the worksheet image below to print!

How about letter recognition games?

Teach Me I’m Yours has a fun Letter Bingo.

Clothespin Matching Game by The Measured Mom

If you are looking for more letter recognition printables, check out the entire alphabet in two different styles.

Letter A Stories

Books are a great way to enforce both recognizing and hearing the sound of the letter A. Here are a few of our favorite letter A stories!

Zach’s Alligator by Shirley Mozelle

Apples for Everyone by Jill Esbaum

Ten Apples Up on Top by Theo LeSieg

Magic School Bus Gets Ants in its Pants by Joanna Cole

The Oak Inside the Acorn by Max Lucado

100 Paper Planes to fold and Fly by Andy Tudor

Paper airplanes are so much fun! Folding the ones in the above book takes a bit of coordination so your child might need assistance.

“The Oak Inside the Acorn” is one of my favorite children’s books. I tear up every time I read it LOL

Free Letter A Worksheets

Free set of 8 letter A worksheets by Easy Peasy Learners

Free A to Z letter practice by Kindergarten Worksheets and Games

Letter A Activities for Kindergarten and Preschool

Here are a few letter A activities for kindergarten and preschool. Print out these apples and use them for number identification. We practiced by putting them out in order and then placing the correct number of pom poms on each apple. This can also be done with legos, beads, cheerios, etc.

An excellent letter A activity for kindergarten and preschool is cooking with apples. These recipes are perfect for little hands and healthy too! Why not try mini apple pies in wonton wrappers or apple pizza?! For fun fall recipes, also check out 14 Fun Pumpkin Recipes for Kids

Painting with apples! We cut the apple in half and then used it as a stamp.

Check out these adorable apple trees! A perfect way to learn the letter A. All you need is toilet paper rolls, brown paint, green construction paper, glue, and a red marker or crayon.

First, paint the toilet paper rolls with brown paint and let dry.

Draw two tree leaves on green construction paper and let your child cut them out.

Show your child how to draw apples onto the leaves.

Lastly, glue your leaves onto your tree trunks 🙂

Can you stack 10 Apples Up On Top? We could only make it to 5!

Learning the Letter A

I hope you found some great ideas to encourage your child on their reading journey. When learning the letter A and all the others, keep in mind that not all children learn the same.

Give space for your active children to explore reading through motion and activities and encourage your creative children to express their desire to learn through arts and crafts.

Which one of these activities do you think your child will enjoy the most? I’d love to hear what worked for your family/classroom!

Check out this easy to use, low prep preschool curriculum! It’s perfect for both homeschool moms and preschool teachers. Everything you need in one package. Click the image to learn more.

For more great ideas and the other letters in the series, check out Preschool Alphabet Series!

Check out these other education posts!

4 Strategies for Improving Reading Skills

6 Great Picture Books about Seasons

20 Fun Preschool Learning Activities