Metro East Focus Schools Project - Support Visit 6 (Letter), October 2026

Building the Foundations of Literacy: Learning About Letters

This week, the Basic Concepts Foundation continued its classroom support visits to schools participating in the Metro East Education District (MEED) project, focusing on the LETTER domain of the Basic Concepts Programme.

It was encouraging to see learners engaging with letters in a variety of practical and hands-on ways. From constructing letters using modelling materials and tracing them in sand to matching letter forms, building words and exploring their sounds, the activities provided opportunities for children to experience letters beyond simply seeing or copying them.

An important part of learning about letters is developing an understanding of the relationship between the written symbol, its sound and the words in which it appears. As learners build their knowledge, they are encouraged to recognise letters, describe their features, connect them to familiar words and begin using this knowledge to construct, read and write words.

The support visits also provided opportunities to work alongside teachers, demonstrate aspects of the mediation process and reflect on how learners' thinking and language can be developed more deliberately. While there is encouraging evidence of learner knowledge and growing confidence, continued attention is needed to strengthen the use of precise language, systematic letter teaching and opportunities for learners to explain their thinking and apply their knowledge independently.

At the BCF, we believe that learning to read and write involves much more than memorising letters. It is about developing the language, conceptual understanding and thinking skills that provide children with a foundation for lifelong learning.

Our ongoing work with MEED teachers is about strengthening these foundations, one learning experience at a time.