Should I Teach Uppercase or Lowercase Letters First?
Youâre ready to start teaching the alphabet.
The crayons are out. The flashcards are prepped. The ABC song is playing in your head. đ”
But now youâre wonderingâŠ
âWaitâshould I start with uppercase or lowercase letters?â
Itâs a great question. And if youâve been confused by mixed answers online, youâre not alone. đ
Letâs clear it up and give you a clear, research-aligned path forwardâso you can confidently teach the alphabet at home.
đ§ What the Research Says
According to the Science of Reading and early literacy studies:
đ Children should learn lowercase letters firstâor at least alongside uppercase.
Why?
Lowercase letters are more common in print
They appear more frequently in books, signs, and stories
Learning lowercase first better prepares kids for decoding real words
Think about it: the word cat has no uppercase lettersâunless itâs at the start of a sentence.
Reading instruction begins with lowercase, so teaching those letters first just makes sense. đĄ
đ But Uppercase Is Easier to Recognize⊠Right?
Yesâmany kids do find uppercase easier to identify and form early on.
Why?
Uppercase letters have simpler, more distinct shapes
Theyâre easier to write for beginners (less curve work)
Kids often see them first (ABC charts, names on walls, signs)
Thatâs why some uppercase exposure early on is fineâespecially letters in your childâs name. But when it comes to intentional instruction?
âïž Focus on lowercase first.
đ Hereâs How to Sequence It at Home
A simple plan for homeschool letter instruction:
1. Start With Lowercase Letters in High-Frequency Words
Begin with letters found in common CVC words and sight words:
s, a, t, m, p, n
These build toward words like sat, map, nap, tap
Teach the sound first, then the lowercase letter that spells it.
(âThis is /s/. We spell it with the letter s.â)
2. Introduce Uppercase as NeededâBut Donât Prioritize It
Say:
âThis is the big S. We use it at the beginning of names and sentences.â
Your child will naturally see uppercase letters in environmental printâso exposure happens even if youâre not explicitly teaching them yet. đłđđŠ
3. Use Both in Their Name Only
Names are the perfect place to show both forms.
Model:
First letter uppercase
Rest lowercase
Example: Samantha
This helps them develop the concept of letter case with meaning.
4. Pair Recognition with Sound
No matter which form you're teaching, always connect it back to sound:
s says /s/ like sun
a says /Ä/ like apple
Avoid teaching letters as static symbolsâteach them as tools for reading. đ§°
đ Activities That Reinforce Letter Case Naturally
Try these fun, low-pressure ways to build lowercase (and some uppercase) awareness:
Alphabet hunts: âFind five lowercase eâs in this book.â
Name tracing: Use sand, markers, or chalk to practice names
Matching games: Match uppercase to lowercase pairs
Storytime challenge: âCan you find the letter b on this page?â
Keep it playfulânot drill-heavy. đ
đ§© What If My Child Already Knows Uppercase Letters?
Great! Build on that.
Say:
âYou already know this is uppercase M. Now letâs learn the lowercase mâitâs the one youâll see most when reading.â
Use what they know to introduce what they need.
Final Thoughts
Itâs totally normal to feel unsure about where to start with the alphabet.
But hereâs the simple takeaway:
đĄ Lowercase letters matter most for early reading
đ Uppercase can come alongsideâbut shouldnât lead
By focusing your instruction on the letters kids see most often in real words, youâll build stronger, faster reading skills from the start.
Youâve got thisâand your kindergartener will too. đ