The Letter D is full of exciting discoveries! As your child or students explores the sound of Dd, enjoy hands-on activities, creative process art, engaging books, simple snacks, and playful learning experiences below that make letter recognition and phonics fun while building a strong foundation for reading.
You'll discover on this page:
Phonics songs are an excellent tool for teaching letter sounds as children prepare for reading. Sing the songs slowly, focusing on the sound of the letter. Be careful not to add a vowel to the end of the /u/ sound (avoid saying /duh/).
Phonics Song
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
D /d/ duck
D /d/ duck
/d/ /d/ /d/ /d/
D /d/ duck
Bible Version
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
D /d/ down
D /d/ down
Down and down, the rain fell down
D /d/ down
Use a dot marker, Q-tips, or a circle stamp to make dots on the Letter Dd poster.
Color the Letter Dd Poster with a "frosting" color while talking about donuts. Draw colored lines to make sprinkles.
Cut small diamonds from construction paper to glue on the Letter Dd Poster.
Dig in a sandbox or sensory box for dinosaur bones, toy dogs, or plastic "Dd" letters. Add in dump trucks.
My "D" Book 
Five Little Ducks, available by multiple authors, is a popular counting rhyme that follows a mother duck as she calls her five little ducks to come home, but one by one, they wander off in different directions. As each duck disappears, the rhyme counts down until there are none left, and the mother duck is left calling for her little ones to return. This playful, rhythmic story is a great way to introduce counting and subtraction to young children while reinforcing the sounds and actions of the ducks.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague is a playful story that imagines how different dinosaurs might behave at bedtime. The dinosaurs are shown in various bedtime scenarios, sometimes being rowdy and stubborn, but ultimately settling down to say goodnight in a loving, affectionate way. With its humorous illustrations and rhythmic, repetitive text, this book is a fun way to help children transition to bedtime while also teaching manners and the importance of routines.
Clifford: The Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell introduces young readers to Clifford, a lovable and oversized red dog. The story follows Clifford and his owner, Emily Elizabeth, as they navigate life with a dog who is much bigger than all the other dogs in the neighborhood.
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion is a charming story about a white dog named Harry who hates baths. To avoid getting one, Harry runs away and gets so dirty that he becomes unrecognizable. When he finally returns home, his family doesn’t recognize him, but Harry's cleverness and love for his family help him find his way back.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is a whimsical and fun tale about dragons who absolutely love tacos. However, things take a chaotic turn when they accidentally eat spicy salsa, which dragons can't handle!
Dodsworth In New York by Tim Egan follows Dodsworth, a mild-mannered traveler, and his mischievous duck as they explore New York City. While Dodsworth wants a relaxing trip, the duck's antics lead to an unexpected adventure through the city's famous landmarks. This humorous story combines exploration and friendship, offering a playful glimpse of New York through the eyes of two unlikely companions. We enjoyed many of Dodsworth's travels around the world.
How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen is a fun and interactive counting book that features a variety of dinosaurs learning to count from one to ten. As the dinosaurs go through different activities, they count objects, actions, and creatures in a playful, engaging way.
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon is a humorous and imaginative story about a duck who decides to ride a bike. As Duck pedals through the neighborhood, other animals watch in surprise, each one wondering what the duck is doing. The story unfolds with the animals reacting in different ways, and the playful text and lively illustrations capture the humor of the situation.
Doctor De Soto by William Steig is a clever story about a kind and intelligent mouse dentist, Doctor De Soto, who treats animals of all sizes—except those that are dangerous to mice, like foxes. When a sly fox with a toothache comes in for treatment, Doctor De Soto faces a dilemma.
Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton is a Franz family favorite! A lively, rhythmic board book, children are invited to join in the fun of a barnyard dance. With its catchy, rhyming text and playful illustrations, the animals—such as cows, pigs, and chickens—take turns dancing to a cheerful beat. The interactive, upbeat tone encourages children to clap, stomp, and move along with the animals, making it a fun and engaging read.
Go, Dog. Go! by P. D. Eastman is a lively and fun-filled book that features a series of dogs engaging in various activities, from driving cars to attending a dog party. With its simple text, repetitive phrases, and colorful illustrations, the book teaches basic concepts such as colors, sizes, and opposites while keeping children engaged with its rhythmic language and playful illustrations. This is one of the first books that my preschool-age children would "read" out loud just by looking at the illustrations.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use or with a Current License Only
Activity and Coloring Poster
Writing Worksheet
