The secret to learning letter sounds fast-embedded PICTORIAL MNEMONICS!

If you’ve ever tried teaching your child the alphabet, you’ve probably seen letter cards like this: A is for apple. But here’s the thing—when we separate the letter, the picture, and the sound, it actually makes it harder for kids to remember.

That’s why we use pictorial mnemonics—where the letter looks like the object and represents the sound too.

Instead of just showing a letter next to an alligator, our flashcard turns the letter A into an alligator. Now your child sees the shape, the sound, and the meaning all at once—which creates a powerful mental link.

Here’s how to use them:

• Print double sided-flip on long edge.

• Show one flashcard at a time (picture side first).

• Say the letter and sound clearly (“A – alligator – /aaaa/”).

• Let your child trace the letter with their finger while saying the letter name.

• Have them trace again and say the letter’s sound.

• Flip to the back and show the standard letter form. Say, “This is an alligator A too!”

• Have them trace and say  (“A – alligator – /aaaa/”) on this side too!

This method taps into how kids naturally learn—through visuals, movement, and connection. It’s fun, effective, and builds strong early reading skills from the very beginning.

Check out the last page for ways to lock in the learning through kinesthetics! Movement builds memory—and when kids are touching, tracing, building, and moving while learning letters, they’re engaging more parts of the brain and making deeper connections.

Download it for free below and watch the magic happen!

A-Z Letter Pals - Embedded Pictorial Mnemonics.pdf

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