RTI/Dibels

Letter Naming Fluency Tips

• Anywhere and everywhere (grocery store, church, mall, etc.) simply point to random letters (capital as well as lower case) and ask your child to give you the letter NAME. Praise correct letter NAMES. If they get it incorrect give immediate corrective feedback.
• Use inexpensive plastic or foam letters. Have your child choose a letter and give you the name.
• Sing the “Alphabet Song” as your child puts the letters in order.
• After you finish reading a book to your child, point to random letters and ask them to give you the letter name.

First Sound Fluency Tips

• Point out the first sound in words. Compare words that begin with the same sound. (For example, “petal” and “pizza”) Ask your child to listen and tell you the first SOUND they HEAR in “petal” and “pizza.” (Not the first letter name.)
• Use picture cards or pictures from a book or magazine. Ask your child to tell you the first sound they hear in words. (“What is the first sound you hear in the word ‘picnic?’”)
• Eventually, don’t use picture cards at all. Simply ask your child to tell you the first sound they hear in __________________.
• Play “I Spy.” Have your child take turns with you searching for things in your house that begin with a certain letter.