learning phonics is a very important skill that leads to confident reading. But of course most young children don't particularly want to sit and be told 'a is for apple' a million times. So get creative use alphabet blocks to build words together feel the shape of the letters with eyes closed and guess what they could be. Play eye spy whilst out, sing songs. This simple little activity is a small tray filled with glitter, you can simply use your finger to write in the glitter then shake the tray to begin again. For young children pen control is particularly difficult so providing opportunities to use their fingers to write is a great starting point. Use blocks to help them write simple phonics words whilst using alliteration and rhyme to add to the fun, eg candy cat has curly fur. See if they can join in coming up with reppition in starting sounds. Most of all have fun!