Thanks to my grandmother, I started the First Grade already able to read. I remember that syllables and phonics were the way I was taught, even if those words weren’t used.
That’s what I mean by those nights sitting with Mom, Dad, Grandpa, or Grandma and reading those “picture books”. “C” is for “cat”. “C” has always been for “cat”. Just like “B” has been for “ball”. “F” is for “Fish”. “M” is for “moon”.
Decades ago, that is the way parents taught their children their letters and how to read before starting school. With my oldest grandchild, “M” for “moon” meant we had to go outside and look for the moon. He was fascinated by the moon. And, that was all due to reading. Of course, then there was the book, “Goodnight Moon”. There is no telling how many copies of that book I gave to expectant parents at baby showers! LOL!
And then there was pointing out the things in the house or outside and asking your child to guess what letter it started with. My children came up with some interesting answers at first, but always remembered the “fun” lesson. For them, we were just playing.