In an attempt to teach Telugu to Sarath, we only spoke to him in Telugu all the time. When he started talking, I taught him the names of everything in Telugu and English. So, as he grew up, he quickly learned that there are two languages. So, it was easy for him to go back and forth between the two. We even bought Telugu books to read during nap time. He was talking pretty good Telugu. I wanted to take it to the next level and teach him to read and eventually write Telugu. So, I made small Telugu board books for him when he was around 18 months. He loved to read those books along with his alphabet and number books. That helped him to identify all the Vowels in Telugu. Later, I introduced consonants as well. So, as he was learning his ABC’s, he also learned his Telugu letters. But, remembering ABC’s was easy for him as he had his alphabet magnets and puzzles that helped him a lot.
I then realized that if I wanted him to remember and learn Telugu letters, I need to make it more interesting and fun for him. I wanted to buy some Telugu alphabet magnets. I couldn’t find them. So, I decided to make them myself. After a careful study of the alphabet magnets that he already had, I came up with this idea to make these fridge magnets. It was really easy to make and Sarath loves to makes words with them everyday.
Here is a look at the finished magnets 🙂
So, this is how I made these magnets.
1. I made a sheet with all the letters with different background colors in photoshop. I took a color printout of the sheet and laminated it. I got letter size lamination sheets which are very easy to use. I just had to peel the back and put it on the sheet while making sure that there were no creases on either the printout or the lamination.
2. Then I cut out the letters using a circle cutter. I bought business card size magnets which had adhesive on one side. I peeled off the adhesive and stuck the cut out letters on to the magnet.
Then with the circle cutter, I cut out the magnet along with the letters.
It was very simple and easy. Sarath now knows all the letters in Telugu. Thanks to all our efforts, he still talks very good accent free Telugu at home even after going to the day care for an year and speaks good English as well. He is now starting to read small words both in English and Telugu. I am so proud of my little guy 🙂
Hey that was a fun way to help them learn.
Welcome to my blog 🙂
It was fun to make the magnets too and a lot of fun when I saw Sarath learning the letters.
Wow! Gud job Sarath! And kudos to u too Sarath’s Mumma for the idea and perfect execution 🙂
Thank you 🙂
That is such a lovely idea! So nice
Thank you 🙂
I am actually looking for board puzzles for my 2year old daughter. I liked your idea a lot, I am planning to the same 🙂
Thanks! Welcome to my blog!!
Hello there,
I was searching for some telugu board books and I found your site. Interesting magnets here. I had this idea since my sister had a son but never put it to work. Now that my son is 14 months old and he loves books – i will try this. I was actually planning to make a board book with alphabets and medium weight cardboard( i brought some from India this time!) and may be put them to use. where did you get those laminating sheets and magnets from?
cheers.
JOSH
Hi,
I got the laminating sheets and magnets from Staples. I actually made those cardboard type books for my son. I never blogged about them. I used the thin card board types that I found in Staples. It is a bit of work but, the kids love it. Now, my little one loves the Telugu board books too. I am planning to make more Telugu books soon 🙂 Email me if you need more info regarding this.
TM
Hello! I love the idea of making these DIY telugu letter magnets. Can you please share the sheet which you made with the letters -please make it downlodable. Thank you so much!
Sure. It has been a long time ago that I made these. I have to find those templates. As soon as I find them, I will make them downloadable here 🙂