Today is the first day of the Mnemonic Monday Series and I have some alphabet mnemonics that will help your little ones learn the ABC’s.
These mnemonics come in the forms of poems and songs both old and modern. They will teach your children the order of the alphabet, and, in some cases, beginning sounds.
Here they are.
Alphabet Mnemonics
The first memory aid I have for you comes from a book that was first published in the 1600’s and has since gone through many revisions. It revolves around a tasty dessert that you might want to make for your kids to create a more meaningful experience.
Here it is.
The Tragical Death of A, Apple Pie
A was an apple pie,
B bit it,
C cut it,
D dealt it,
E eat it,
F fought for it,
G got it,
H had it,
I inspected it,
J jumped for it,
K kept it,
L longed for it.
M mourned for it,
N nodded at it,
O opened it,
P peeped in it,
Q quartered it,
R ran for it,
S stole it,
T took it,
U upset it,
V viewed it,
W wanted it,
X, Y and Z all wished for and had a piece in hand.
* * *
The next help I have for you is a rhyme that was published around 1850. It has some interesting vocabulary from that time period that you may want to research before sharing it with your child.
Tom Thumb’s Picture Alphabet
A is an Angler,
Young, but expert;
B is a Butcher,
Who wears a red shirt.
C is a Crabfish,
Who lives in a shell;
D is a Doctor,
Who gets sick folks well.
E is an Esquire,
With dignified brow;
F is a Farmer,
Who follows the plough.
G is the wide Gate,
Opened by Dennis;
H is the Horseman, who
Gave him some pennies.
I is an Iceboat,
Propelled by steam;
J is a Jockey,
Who drives a gay team.
K is the village Kirk,
With a very tall spire,
L is a lazy Lout,
A loafer, and a liar.
M is a Miser,
Covetous and mean;
N is a Newsboy,
Bright, witty, and keen.
O is the farmer’s Ox,
That is fattened for beef;
P is the Parson,
Whose sermons are brief.
Q is old Quilp,
Who was fond of flip;
R is a Rascal,
Who deserves the whip.
S is a large Ship,
That crosses the main;
T is a Tailor,
Who labors for gain.
U is an Umbrella,
That protects us from rain;
V is a Vagabond,
Vile, vicious, and vain.
W is a deep Well,
Dug no one knows when;
X is a letter, which
Often stands for Ten.
Y is a Yak,
A fourfooted beast;
Z is Zenobia,
The queen of the east.
* * *
Finally, here are they lyrics to everyone’s favorite ABC song. . .simple, straightforward, and with a catchy tune.
The Alphabet Song
A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P,
Q, R, S,
T, U, V,
W,
X,
Y and Z.
Now, I know my ABCs.
Next time, won’t you sing with me?
Bookmark or pin this post so you can find it again.
Many blessings,
