Marvelous, mighty, and full of movement — the letter M is such a fun one for preschoolers to explore! From munching monkeys to making music, there are so many meaningful ways to practice the /m/ sound. The ideas below will help your little learners recognize, say, and enjoy the letter M through hands-on play and simple activities.
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Phonics songs are a great way to help children learn letter sounds as they prepare for reading. Sing these songs slowly, emphasizing the sound of the letter.
Phonics Song
Tune: The Farmer in the Dell
M /m/ monkey
M /m/ monkey
/m/ /m/ /m/ /m/
M /m/ monkey
Bible Version
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
M /m/ Mary
M /m/ Mary
Mary and the Manger
M /m/ Mary
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Cut "m's" out of a newspaper or junk mail, and glue to the Mm Poster.
Glue pictures or add stickers of monkeys on the Mm Poster.
Lay miniwheats on the Mm Poster.
Place paint on a paper plate. Dip a large marshmallow in the paint and stamp onto the Letter M poster. Another option is to glue mini marshmallows on the poster.
Color the Letter M Poster. Add lines and an "x" to mark the spot as a treasure map.
Place the Letter M poster in a shallow box or pan. Add drops of paint on the poster. Set a few marbles in the box. Rotate the container to move the marbles through the paint. Discuss the /m/ sounds of the marbles and m's.
Glue macaroni noodles to the Letter M poster.
Pretend to fingerpaint with mud on the Letter M Poster with brown fingerpaint.
As a special activity, use markers to decorate the Letter M poster.
Why Heidi Doesn't Like Markers
This is a fun science experiment with paper, food coloring, oil, and water. Click link to read directions and see images.
Celebrate the journey to Jesus' birth with the interactive Christmas Advent Workbook! It features a fun tree-building activity and 25 engaging daily guides that explore Jesus' wonderful characteristics through crafts, songs, baking, and games. This delightful resource is perfect for families, churches, and preschools!
My "M" Book by Jane Belk Moncure - Be sure to use the phonetic sound of the letter and not just the letter name when reading the book. When we come to a letter, I have my child read the phonetic sound of each letter.
The classic Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a beloved bedtime story that features a little bunny saying goodnight to various objects in his room, including the moon, stars, and a red balloon. The rhythmic, soothing text and gentle illustrations make it a perfect bedtime read, offering a calming and repetitive structure that helps young children wind down for the night.
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh is a playful story where three little mice discover various shapes and use them to build different objects, like houses and trees, while cleverly avoiding a sneaky cat. Through their creative exploration, children learn about shapes, colors, and problem-solving in a fun and engaging way. It’s a sweet and simple book that makes learning shapes feel like a delightful adventure!
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is the classic story of Mike Mulligan, a hardworking steam shovel operator, and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne. When new, more modern machines take over the work of steam shovels, Mike and Mary Anne find themselves without jobs. Undeterred, they take on one last challenge to dig a basement for a new town hall. As the story unfolds, Mike and Mary Anne prove their worth and demonstrate that hard work, ingenuity, and friendship can overcome obstacles.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo is a delightful story about a lovable, plump pig named Mercy Watson. Mercy lives with her kind owners, Mr. and Mrs. Watson, and has a knack for getting into trouble. It’s the first book in the Mercy Watson series, full of lighthearted adventures. Even into their teens and adulthood, my kids talk about the adventures of Mercy Watson.
In If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff a young boy gives a moose a muffin, which leads to a chain of humorous and increasingly messy requests. One thing after another, the moose’s demands eventually circle back to where the story began — with another muffin. Focus on the multiple "m" words while reading this fun story.
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney introduces young readers to the concept of maps and geography through the eyes of a little girl who explores her place in the world. She starts with her room, then her house, town, country, and eventually the whole globe, showing children how they fit into the bigger picture. It's a great resource for teaching kids about their surroundings and where they live in relation to the world.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm by various authors is a classic nursery rhyme that introduces children to various farm animals and the sounds they make. As you sing along or speak the words, each verse features a different animal, and children can join in by making the animal sounds. It's a fun and interactive way to help little ones learn about animals while encouraging participation and language development.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow is a beloved, rhythmic story about five mischievous monkeys who can't resist jumping on the bed, despite their mother's warnings. One by one, they fall off and bump their heads, leading to repeated calls to the doctor, who sternly advises, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" With its playful repetition, lively illustrations, and catchy rhyme, this book is perfect for teaching counting, sequencing, and the consequences of not listening! Kids will love joining in and chanting along with the familiar refrain.
Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Jan Brett retells the classic fable about two mice who swap homes to experience each other's way of life. The town mouse visits the country, and the country mouse explores the town, but both discover that their own homes are where they truly belong.
Teach both letter recognition and proper letter formation with the ABC Letter Posters. This developmentally appropriate, multi-sensory resource aligns perfectly with the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool Curriculum. Each poster includes clear visual and active phonics cues to make early literacy learning engaging and effective.
- Marshmallows, M&M's
- Meatballs, meatloaf
- Monkey Bread
- Macaroni
- Mayo and mustard on sandwich
- Melon
- Mini wheat cereal
