I’ve already written about inexpensive and DIY sandpaper letters and a DIY alphabet box. Today, I’m writing about the movable alphabet, an important Montessori preparation for spelling, writing, and reading.
The traditional Montessori movable alphabet uses wooden lowercase letters with blue vowels and red consonants. The classic wooden Montessori movable alphabet is beautiful, but an attractive inexpensive version can be prepared using printables for home use. There are also other inexpensive options for homeschools and schools outside of traditional Montessori schools.
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Inexpensive and DIY Movable Alphabets
If you’d like a high-quality but reasonably priced, traditional wooden movable alphabet in manuscript print, consider the small movable alphabet from Alison’s Montessori (see review here) or Kid Advance.
Alison’s Montessori and Kid Advance also have wooden movable alphabets in cursive, although the tails aren’t shortened on those from either company. (They aren’t shortened in the Nienhuis movable alphabet, either.)
Cursive Movable Alphabet in Felt from KoloRa Studio on Etsy
An inexpensive cursive movable alphabet that looks like a great option is the felt cursive alphabet from KoloRa Studio on Etsy. I like the shortened tails on the letters that allow the letters in words to join up naturally.
(2019 update) Right now, I have the cursive movable alphabet in configured box from Absorbent Minds Montessori in England. This is my favorite movable alphabet because it’s small enough to fit on my shelf, has shortened tails, and is gorgeous. Unfortunately, it’s expensive, especially if you’re not from England and have to pay international shipping. That said, the service is amazing! I ordered the movable alphabet with standard shipping on a Sunday afternoon, and it arrived in San Diego on Tuesday around noon!
(2022 update) A movable alphabet in a configured box is beautiful and so easily organized, but it is more expensive. There are more options now for a movable alphabet in a configured box, though, such as through Alison’s Montessori.
Movable Alphabet (Photo from Montessori Print Shop)
Montessori Print Shop has a number of inexpensive moveable alphabet materials.
I have a free printable movable alphabet (1″ letter tiles) in manuscript, D’Nealian, and cursive (instant download).
You’ll find themed printable movable alphabet letters in our monthly subscriber freebies.
Montessori Services has a number of options for movable alphabets you can easily assemble.
Montessori Assistant has free small movable alphabets in print or cursive in red, blue, or black. I especially like the red and black letters used together to spell words from the Montessori green reading series.
Simply Montessori has The Moveable Alphabet: Lots of wallet friendly alternatives for your home (and links to make it simple!).
Preschool Universe has ideas for inexpensive alternatives to the traditional Montessori movable alphabet.
Movable Alphabet Work (Photo from Counting Coconuts)
My Free Montessori Materials Online post has links to lots of inexpensive Montessori material suppliers with movable alphabets. (Counting Coconuts often shows materials purchased from one of the less expensive Montessori material suppliers. (Photo from Counting Coconuts).
Pipe Cleaner Moveable Alphabet Used for Suffix Work (Photo from Homeschool Escapade)
HomeschoolEscapade made a pipe cleaner moveable alphabet.
Montessori Mom has ideas for preparing and presenting a moveable alphabet and Exercises for the Moveable Alphabet.
The Little House on the Prairie made a cardboard movable alphabet.
Phonogram Rocks (Photo from Little Schoolhouse in the Suburbs)
Little Schoolhouse in the Suburbs has Movable Alphabet for Word Building and Phonogram Rocks. (Blog post is no longer available.)
Criss-Cross Applesauce has a lima bean movable alphabet.
Moms Have Questions Too has a glass gem movable alphabet.
Maybe Montessori tells how to create a movable alphabet carrying case.
Directions for Presenting the Movable Alphabet
Montessori Primary Guide has moveable alphabet presentations.
Montessori World has movable alphabet presentations.
Movable Alphabet Words (Photo from To the Lesson!)
To the Lesson! shows the movable alphabet in use.
Jessie from The Education of Ours has posts at Mommy Moment on First Experiences with the Moveable Alphabet and First Exposures to the Movable Alphabet.
Movable Alphabet Work (Photo from Montessori MOMents)
Montessori MOMents showed movable alphabet work. The blog is no longer available.
Advanced Movable Alphabet Work (Photo from We Don’t Need No Education)
We Don’t Need No Education has elementary-level movable alphabet work for renewing interest in spelling.
Happy word building! 🙂
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I love the ideas of using rocks! What a fun way to incorporate use of the Moveable Alphabet!!! Thanks for sharing (and for using my picture too). 🙂
Sasha
Thanks, Sasha! I thought the rocks were a great idea, too! It’s my pleasure to feature your post and photo … your blog posts are always wonderful! 🙂
These are great! I’m really surprised by how good the pipe cleaner alphabet looks – I never would have thought of that! I love the idea of using stones as well.
Thanks, Melissa! I agree … the pipe cleaner and rock alphabets are definitely cool! It’s always so much fun finding all these creative ideas online. 🙂
This is something I haven’t done yet but absolutely need too! I especially love the rock letters and know my son would as well. I have just started my blog, but I would like to start linking up to the montessori monday although we are not truely only “montessori”. Would that be alright?
Thanks for your comment, Moriah! We’d love to have you link up … any activity trays or Montessori-inspired ideas are great! 🙂
I love how you keep your letters so organized with the trays with dividers. I’ll have to get me some of those. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, Veronica! Those aren’t actually my trays in the photos, but I always used something similar. They definitely work well. 🙂
Cool! I have just been looking into the moveable alphabet, so this is perfect timing! No linking up for me this week, my brain has been on vacation. 🙂
Thanks, Maureen! I’m glad the timing’s right! You can always link up an activity from your archives if you wish. I always love to see you link up whenever you can! 🙂
Love all of these! I was immidiately drawn to the rock alphabet (just pinned owl rocks the other day – so I must be in a rock mood) and was thinking about how I can make them accesible to the kids outdoor play!
Thanks for your comment, Amanda! I love the thought of making the rock alphabet accessible for outdoor play! 🙂
I just love all these moveable alphabet ideas! I’ve also heard of using Wikki Stix or Bendaroos, but have never actually tried them.
Thanks so much for your comment, Ginny Marie! Wikki Stix or Bendaroos sound like great ideas, too! 🙂
Thanks for mentioning my movable alphabet posts. I love the pipe cleaner letters – lots of other good montessori activities on here, too.
My kids (Four and Three) love this. We often spell out words on a piece of paper and have them mimic the words with the alphabet pieces. It didn’t take too long before my four-year-old was spelling out her own words. The theory behind Montessori materials is sound–when kids are able to touch and feel the shapes of the letters, they are able to learn the letters more quickly, and it sticks with them better.