Teaching toddlers their name is an exciting part of their development. They suddenly start recognizing letters everywhere they go. Recognizing letters is the first step in learning to read and write, and activities like this one make the process enjoyable for everyone involved. In this post we will learn about what it takes to learn letters and how a simple DIY craft can help toddlers practice name and letter recognition in a simple and fun way.
The Building Blocks of Letter Learning
Before toddlers can read and write effectively, they go through these stages of learning letters. By providing support through each of these stages, we can help them progress quicker. 1
1. Letter Exposure
In order to be able to recognize letters on their own, toddlers need lots of exposure to them. Reading books together, noticing street signs, and creating a home environment full of letters and words can expose them to lots of letters, and fast.
2. Letter Recognition
Being able to recognize and distinguish between letters is a crucial step on the journey to reading and writing. This has to be completed before kids can attach sounds to letters.
3. Letter-Sound Association
Once children can recognize letters, they will begin to associate them with their sounds. This is the start of phonemic awareness (this is the ability to hear, recognize, and manipulate the individual sounds in a word, for example: sounding out “cat” as /c/ /a/ /t/.)
4. Name Recognition
Their own name is often the first word that toddlers can recognize and write. Their name is important to them and they hear it and see it daily.
A Hands-On Name Recognition Activity
To make learning his name fun for my toddler, I created this simple name recognition game using items I already had at home. This DIY name craft is engaging, fun, and hands-on which makes it perfect for busy toddlers.
Materials
-Cardboard (I used an empty diaper box)
-Glue
-Paper
-Marker (Sharpie works well)
-Clothespins
*Optional: stickers, googly eyes, or anything else your toddler might be interested in.
Directions
1. Cut a piece of cardboard large enough to write your toddlers name in big bold letters.
2. Write your child’s name using the markers. I recommend using capital letters because they are easier for kids to recognize and write when they are older.
3. Measure and cut out squares that are approximately the same size. Write each letter of their name on a square.
4. Put a small dot of glue on the clothespin, then press the letter firmly onto it and hold it in place until it dries slightly.
5. Allow the letters to fully dry.
6. Show your toddler how to clip the clothespin onto the cardboard to match the letters. Make it a fun game and get excited when they match the letters correctly.
Easy Clothespin Name Recognition Activity for Toddlers
Materials
- Cardboard (I used an empty diaper box)
- Glue
- Paper
- Marker (I used a black sharpie)
- Clothespins
- Optional: stickers, googly eyes, or anything else your toddler might be interested in.
Instructions
- Cut a piece of cardboard large enough to write your toddlers name in big bold letters.
- Write your child's name using the markers. I recommend using capital letters because they are easier for kids to recognize and write when they are older.
- Measure and cut out squares that are approximately the same size. Write each letter of their name on a square.
- Put a small dot of glue on the clothespin, then press the letter firmly onto it and hold it in place until it dries slightly. (See image above)
- Allow the letters to fully dry.
- Show your toddler how to clip the clothespin onto the cardboard to match the letters.
Why This Activity Works Well
✔ Encourages Letter Recognition – When your toddler sees their name and interacts with the individual letters, they will begin to recognize them in other places too.
✔ Strengthens Fine Motor Skills – Manipulating the clothespin by pinching it and clipping it onto the cardboard is great for building their fine motor skills. These are the skills they will later need to hold a pencil and write.
✔ Hands-On and Engaging – Toddlers learns best through play. This activity turns learning into a fun game.
✔ Personalized Learning – Using their own name makes the activity meaningful and memorable.
How To Make It Even More Fun
-Use colorful clothespins, bright markers and paper, add stickers or googly eyes, or add fun drawings.
-Say each letter aloud as your child matches them. Get your child to practice saying them too! This will reinforce the letter sounds.
-Mix up the letters and have your child put them in the right order.
When you add this simple DIY letter recognition craft to your toddler’s day, you are giving them an engaging way to start building important literacy skills. Have fun learning and playing together!
References:
1 Parents Editors. When Do Kids Learn to Read? Parents, https://www.parents.com/when-do-kids-learn-to-read-8730376. Accessed [March 12, 2025].
View more like this!
Fingerprint Tree Craft for Fall
Best Nature Journals for Kids: Inspire Outdoor Adventures
Top Books for Toddlers: Must-Reads for Early Development
SAVE THIS FOR LATER!
Leave a Reply