Lowercase vs. Uppercase: Which Should You Teach Your Child First?
What’s the best way to help your child fall in love with letters from the start?
Teaching your child letters can feel like a big step, and it can be tricky to know where to start! Should you wait until kindergarten, or is it okay to dive in now? Should you start with uppercase or lowercase? Let’s break it down.
Are you new here? Welcome! I’m Miss Beth, the founder of Big City Readers - a different kind of early childhood development. Children need flexibility and fun to engage and grow as readers. I believe not all children learn from sitting at a desk, and it is my job as an educator to find the best solution for them. I use the 5 building blocks of early literacy: read, write, sing, talk, and play, in addition to the Orton Gillingham method which utilizes the three learning pathways through which children learn—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
Without any further introduction, I want to dive into all the basics of teaching letter writing to your child, including whether lowercase vs uppercase is the best place to start.
When Should You Start Teaching Letters at Home?
Before discussing how to introduce letter-writing at home, let’s take a step back and talk about when is the best time to begin this process. When the topic of writing gets brought up, a lot of parents are unsure if an introduction before kindergarten is appropriate. My answer is always this: it’s never too early to start working with letters!
Letter introduction is the first step of the letter-writing process, and there is no “right” time— it’s just when you feel it’s best as a parent to begin. This does not necessarily mean going straight into writing, but more about focusing on the exploration that comes with drawing, scribbling, and inventive spelling. These activities build fine motor skills and confidence by holding writing tools like crayons and pencils, so they already have a leg up when the time is right to begin letter-writing.
If you’re curious to read more about inventive spelling and how great it is for your child’s learning development, check out my post: What Is Inventive Spelling? Is It Normal?
I’m Ready To Begin The Letter Writing Process With My Child… Where Should I Start?
If your child is ready to begin the letter-writing process, you might wonder where to start—and if you should begin with uppercase or lowercase letters first. Learning letters can be fun and simple if you know the basics!
To get a leg up in beginning the letter-writing process, I HIGHLY recommend checking out my On-Demand Course For Kindergarteners! Together, we will walk through the best methods to introduce the ABCs and how letters blend together in a fun and interactive way. Best of all, these videos are fun for both your child and any parents watching!
The Difference Between Uppercase And Lowercase Letters
Understanding the differences between uppercase and lowercase letters can help you decide where to begin with your child. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Uppercase Letters are generally easier to write. They use simple, consistent lines and curves, which are often easier for little hands to handle. Because of their uniform size and shape, uppercase letters are straightforward for kids to recognize and write—making them ideal for starting with.
Lowercase Letters
have more variety in their shapes and sizes, making them more common in reading but also trickier to write. Since lowercase letters appear in books and signs, they’re essential for reading, but their complexity might be challenging for beginners.
These differences mean that uppercase letters are often easier for young children to learn first. However, if your child seems interested in lowercase letters, feel free to start there or introduce them gradually as their confidence grows. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing, so be flexible during this process and keep it fun!
Which One Should My Child Start With?
While many parents choose to begin with uppercase, some consider lowercase to be the best way to start. So which is best for your child? Here at Big City Readers, I typically recommend uppercase – here’s why:
Simple and Consistent: Uppercase letters are made up of straightforward shapes, which helps kids get comfortable with writing faster.
Manageable for Little Hands: The uniform design of uppercase letters makes them easier to write and recognize, reducing any sense of overwhelm.
Confidence-Boosting: Since uppercase letters are simpler, kids can feel successful quickly, which builds confidence in their writing abilities.
Helps with Reading Skills: Recognizing letter shapes is a huge part of learning to read. Starting with uppercase letters can help kids understand the basic structure of letters, making it easier for them to recognize words later.
Will Starting With Uppercase Letters Make Lowercase Letters More Difficult?
Absolutely not! This is one of the most common questions I get from parents, and it’s completely understandable. Starting with uppercase letters won’t make learning lowercase letters more difficult later on. In fact, kids generally adapt easily between the two.
Uppercase letters are often easier for young children to write because of their simple, uniform shapes. Once children feel confident with these basics, lowercase letters can be introduced gradually without causing confusion. Kids who start with uppercase letters typically have no trouble adding lowercase letters as they’re ready, especially when they’re familiar with the alphabet’s structure and shapes.
There’s no right or wrong order here, so feel free to let your child’s interest and curiosity guide the way. Focus on keeping letter learning enjoyable, and watch their confidence grow along the way!
Fun Ways to Introduce Letter-Writing
Teaching letters doesn’t have to mean sitting down with worksheets or flashcards. I actually don’t recommend starting with this at all! Instead, there are more fun and playful ways to get started in the letter-writing process:
Draw with Your Child!
Drawing is a natural first step in letter learning. For example, drawing a cat involves lines and curves that also make up letters like “O,” “A,” “W,” “V,” and “B.” Not only does this make letter shapes more familiar, but it keeps things fun and creative! Plus, drawing together lets kids practice the same lines and shapes they’ll use in writing, all while keeping them engaged in the process.
Use Playdough or Blocks
If your child isn’t ready to hold a pencil for writing, try building letters out of playdough or even with blocks. This helps them understand letter shapes without the pressure of writing. Building letters with hands-on materials also strengthens fine motor skills, making it easier for them to transition to writing when they’re ready.
Go on a “Letter Hunt”
Look for objects or signs with letters around the house or at the park. This is a fun way to introduce both uppercase and lowercase letters in a natural setting. Try making it into a game, challenging them to find specific letters or even the letters in their own name—it’s a playful way to build letter recognition and excitement about learning!
Letter Writing Is All About Finding What Works Best for Your Child
At the end of the day, every child’s path to learning letters will be a little different—and that’s perfectly okay! A lot of kids connect quickly with uppercase letters, while others may be drawn to lowercase, and some might prefer drawing or hands-on play before picking up a pencil. What matters most is finding an approach that makes your child feel confident and excited about learning.
If you’re looking for a physical resource to help develop the letter-writing skills your child will use for the rest of their life, my Pre-Reading and Pre-Writing Printable is a great resource! I’ll walk you through what to say to help your child understand sound + letter relationships, build strong foundations in language and literacy, and help you feel confident doing it.
Do you have any questions on uppercase vs lowercase letters and how they impact the letter-writing process? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest education tips for your child, check out my recent posts:
