Magic Letters: Why Russian Uses Its Own Alphabet
When kids first see Russian writing, it might look like a secret code. That’s because Russian doesn’t use the English alphabet it uses its own! This unique writing system is called the Cyrillic alphabet, and it was created over a thousand years ago just for Slavic languages like Russian.
Why Not Just Use ABC?
Russian sounds don’t always match English letters. To write words the right way, Russian needed a different set of letters. That’s where Cyrillic comes in! It includes familiar shapes like А (which sounds like a in car), but also totally new ones like Ж (zh like in treasure). These magic letters make Russian words come alive.
It might seem confusing at first, but for kids, it can actually be easier—because most letters make just one sound.
Cool Facts About Cyrillic
- It has 33 letters—more than English!
- Many letters look like English ones but sound different. For example, Р looks like P but sounds like r.
- Some letters have no English match at all, like Ы, which is a deep-sounding vowel kids love trying to say.
Creative Activities to Try
Alphabet Art Time
Let your child pick five Cyrillic letters to decorate with glitter, stickers, or drawings. Hang them up to practice sounds every day.
Who’s That Letter?
Play a guessing game: “I’m thinking of a letter that looks like a 3 but says z… what is it?” (Answer: З)
Apps like Dinolingo make this process even more magical by teaching kids through colorful videos, songs, and games. Children see the letters in action, not just on a boring worksheet.
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