LETTERLAND

LETTERLAND was created by Lyn Wendon in England over 20 years ago . She wanted to bring the alphabet alive and help children understand how it works.

In LETTERLAND each letter of the alphabet is represented by a special 'pictogram' character. Each character has been created and designed to represent the sounds which letters make in words.

For example, by saying the names of a Letterlander, Clever Cat, Lucy Lamp Light and Yellow Yo-Yo Man, children already have their associated sound on their lips.

The Letterlanders names are alliterative which immediately taps into the building of phonemic awareness skills. Children are enchanted by the characters and animals in this secret place called LETTERLAND and educators know that if children are interested, they learn without even realizing.

Harry Hat Man
LETTERLAND uses stories to explain any changes in sounds when two characters come together. These stories are built around the information children have already discovered about the Letterlanders. For example, Harry Hat Man normally hops along in words whispering his sound, 'hh', in words because he hates noise.

Sammy SnakeBut his friend Sammy Snake loves to make his hissing sound in words, 'ss'.

ShSo why they change their sounds when are together? Because the Hat Man hates noise and hushes Sammy Snake up with a 'sh' sound!

ChAnother Letterland story tells about what happens when Clever Cat sits next to the Harry Hat Man... his hairy hat makes her nose tickle and so she sneezes with a 'ch' sound.

Children remember these stories as they capture their imagination.