ABCs and Animal Prints: Bringing Letters to Life Through Art

At My Morning Out, we believe that early literacy isn’t just about learning letters. It’s about helping children make meaningful connections with language, sounds, and stories in a way that feels joyful and hands-on.

That’s exactly what happened last month in one of our toddler classrooms, where the children worked together on a beautiful and creative ABC Book Project led by one of our passionate teachers, Ms. Bri.

Inspired by a project from her own continuing education class, Ms. Bri wanted to find a way to bring letters and sounds to life in a playful and memorable way. Over the course of three weeks, the class created an entire alphabet book using animal-themed handprint art, with one animal for each letter of the alphabet.

Each day, the children were introduced to a new letter and the animal it would represent. As they pressed their painted hands to paper to form elephants, koalas, foxes, and more, they also practiced saying the letter, making the sound it represented, and connecting it to the animal’s name.

“The kids had a blast making the animals and learning the letters in such a hands-on way,” Ms. Bri shared. “While the original idea used everyday objects, I wanted to switch it up with animals to make it even more fun and imaginative. And it worked. They were so engaged.”

To make the books even more special, each child painted their own cover and received a handwritten note tucked in the back from their teacher. The pages were carefully tied together with string and sent home. These little books became more than keepsakes. They were tools for continued learning and connection between children and families.

Projects like this are a perfect example of what makes MMO’s approach to learning so powerful. By combining creativity, interaction, and meaning, children don’t just memorize letters. They build real connections with them.

We know that early literacy skills are deeply rooted in these kinds of experiences. Singing songs, telling stories, scribbling letters, and exploring sounds all help children build the foundation they need to become confident readers later on. When that learning is paired with art, laughter, and the chance to get a little messy, it really sticks.

At My Morning Out, we’re proud to create classrooms where learning is playful, purposeful, and personal. Our children feel excited to explore the world of words, one colorful animal at a time.