Letter Names Come Before Letter Sounds

Is your child learning letter names—or letter sounds?
This is the fourth video in our Reading Readiness Series, and it focuses on a critical early literacy skill: understanding letter sounds.
While letter names are useful, what really builds a foundation for reading is knowing the sounds each letter makes. For example, the letter B makes the /b/ sound. Recognizing this sound helps children begin to blend sounds into words—an essential step in learning to read.
You can support your child by making sounds a part of everyday life. Try pointing to letters in books, on signs, or in toys and asking, “What sound does this letter make?” That simple question encourages sound recognition and boosts reading readiness.
Shift the focus to letter sounds, and watch your child’s reading skills begin to grow.