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 :) Completed Telugu 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 :)

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