Why is it important for children to know letter names, despite knowing letter sounds?

Knowing letter names is crucial for children's overall literacy development because it reinforces their understanding of the alphabet and supports various reading and writing skills. Recognizing letter names helps children categorize letters, build their vocabulary, and develop phonemic awareness. When children can identify both letter sounds and names, they can make connections between phonemes (the sounds of language) and graphemes (the letters representing those sounds). This dual recognition facilitates the process of decoding words while reading, which is essential for fluent reading.

Furthermore, letter names often help children remember the order of letters in the alphabet, which is important for activities like alphabetical sorting or using dictionaries. Understanding letter names also aids in spelling and writing, as it provides a cognitive framework for children to develop their literacy skills holistically. Thus, knowing letter names is not just an isolated skill; it plays a significant role in fostering a child's overall language and literacy comprehension.