One more thing....

“Research shows us that children, who know the names and shapes of letters when formal reading instruction begins, are more likely to experience success in learning to read than children who have had little experience with the alphabet. Children must become familiar with the symbols that are used in print; they must understand the special code that is used in their written language.” - A. Bishop, R.H. Yopp, H.K. Yopp, 2000, Ready for Reading: A Handbook