Making Letter Learning Fun with Jolly Phonics at Echo Childcare

At Echo Childcare in Kelowna, we believe that learning should be fun, engaging, and meaningful for young children. Whether children attend our Multiage or 3–5 program, both of our Kelowna childcare locations follow the same preschool curriculum, teaching approach, and policies.

One of the ways we make early literacy exciting is by incorporating Jolly Phonics songs, sounds, and actions into our preschool program.

Learning Letters Through Sounds, Songs & Actions

Young children learn best when they can see, hear, move, and participate. Instead of simply showing children a letter and asking them to remember it, Jolly Phonics gives each letter sound a memorable action.

For example, children might weave their hand like a snake while saying “ssssss” for S, turn their head from side to side as though watching a tennis match for T, or stretch their arms out like an airplane while making the “nnnnnn” sound for N.

These simple movements turn letter learning into an interactive experience. Children are not just looking at a letter—they are hearing its sound, connecting it with an action, and having fun while learning it.

Connecting Jolly Phonics with Handwriting Without Tears

At Echo, Jolly Phonics works alongside our Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) curriculum.

Handwriting Without Tears introduces early writing and printing skills in a hands-on, developmentally appropriate way. Children learn how letters are formed using simple concepts such as Big Lines, Little Lines, Big Curves, and Little Curves.

Jolly Phonics adds another important layer by helping children connect the letter with its sound through songs and movements.

Together, the two approaches help children understand:

What the letter looks like → What sound it makes → How the letter is formed

For example, when we introduce a new letter, children may learn its sound and Jolly Phonics action, explore words that begin with that sound, build the letter using HWT materials, and eventually practice forming and writing it.

Learning Through Repetition—and Play

Repetition is important in early childhood, but repetition does not have to feel repetitive!

We incorporate Jolly Phonics songs, sounds, and movements into activities such as circle time, preschool lessons, movement activities, letter games, and everyday classroom conversations. This gives children many opportunities to revisit letter sounds naturally throughout their day.

The actions can also provide children with a helpful memory cue. When they see a letter later, remembering the movement or song may help them recall its sound.

Most importantly, children get to move, sing, laugh, participate, and learn together.

One Curriculum Across Echo Childcare

Whether your child attends our Sutherland Avenue location or Molnar Road location, and whether they are enrolled in our Multiage or 3–5 program, our goal remains the same: to provide a consistent, high-quality preschool experience that supports each child's stage of development.

At Echo Childcare, early literacy is about much more than memorizing the alphabet. By combining Jolly Phonics with Handwriting Without Tears, we help children connect letters, sounds, movements, words, and early writing in a way that is meaningful and enjoyable.

Because when children are excited to participate, learning becomes something they want to do.

See it. Hear it. Move it. Write it. Learn it—and have fun along the way!