10 Must-Have Classroom Supplies for Teaching Early Literacy

Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of these links. Creating a literacy-rich classroom is one of the most effective ways to help children develop a love for reading and writing. From colorful posters that reinforce letter sounds to interactive learning tools that make phonics fun, the right classroom supplies can transform learning into an exciting adventure. At The Reading Roost, we understand that teachers, parents, and homeschoolers want the best materials to support early literacy. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 must-have classroom supplies to make teaching early literacy easier, more effective, and way more fun. These tools not only support key skills like letter recognition, phonics, and sight word practice but also engage children in hands-on learning. The best part? Each of these items is available on Amazon, so you can stock your classroom or homeschool setup with a few clicks. 1. Alphabet Wall Posters & Flashcards Why You Need It: Visual learning plays a huge role in helping kids remember letters, sounds, and words. Alphabet wall posters serve as a daily reminder for letter recognition and can also be used during circle time or learning centers. How It Helps: Reinforces letter names and sounds. Helps children identify uppercase and lowercase letters. Creates a visual, literacy-rich classroom environment. Recommended Products Educational Preschool Alphabet Poster – Features colorful images for every letter. Laminated Sight Word Posters – Reinforce sight word recognition with visual aids. Coogam Wooden Alphabet Flashcards – These sturdy flashcards are perfect for hands-on activities. Pro Tip: Place posters at child height so they can interact with them during activities or free play. 2. Letter Tracing Workbooks & Dry-Erase Boards Why You Need It: Early literacy starts with letter formation, and tracing workbooks and dry-erase boards are perfect for teaching kids how to write. Unlike paper worksheets, dry-erase boards can be reused, saving you money in the long run. How It Helps Builds hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Encourages kids to practice forming letters and words. Supports early writing confidence with reusable practice materials. Recommended Products My First Tracing Workbook – Tracing letters has never been easier! Dry-Erase Lap Boards – Reusable boards for letter tracing and handwriting practice. VTech Write and Learn Creative Center – An interactive, electronic board that guides kids as they trace letters. Pro Tip: Pair dry-erase boards with colorful dry-erase markers to make tracing more fun for kids. 3. Magnetic Letters & Whiteboards Why You Need It: Children love hands-on activities, and magnetic letters bring reading, spelling, and letter recognition to life. Whiteboards serve as the perfect “canvas” for letter practice, and magnetic letters can be used for spelling, sorting, and phonics activities. How It Helps Builds word recognition by letting children physically manipulate letters. Introduces word-building activities like CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. Supports play-based learning with letter matching and sorting. Recommended Products Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Letters – Hands-on learning with colorful magnetic letters. Magnetic Whiteboard for Kids – A versatile tool for writing, spelling, and letter practice. LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set – Fun fridge magnets that teach letters and letter sounds. Pro Tip: Use magnetic letters for morning work activities. Have kids spell their names or identify the “letter of the day” on the whiteboard. 4. Sight Word Flashcards & Games Why You Need It: Sight words are essential for early reading fluency. Flashcards and sight word games help kids recognize high-frequency words by sight, which is critical for smooth reading. How It Helps: Builds sight word fluency for common words like “the” and “and.” Supports independent learning and self-correction. Adds play-based learning through sight word bingo, swat games, and matching activities. Recommended Products Zingo Sight Words Game – A fast-paced game for sight word practice. Learning Resources Sight Word Swat – A game where kids “swat” the sight words they recognize. Sight Word Flashcards – Must-have flashcards for on-the-go learning. Pro Tip: Create a “Sight Word Wall” where students can see all the words they’ve mastered. Each time a student learns a new word, they can add it to the wall. 5. Phonics Learning Toys Why You Need It: Phonics is the bridge between knowing letters and reading words. Interactive phonics toys engage children with sounds, letters, and words in a playful way. How It Helps: Builds foundational skills in letter sounds and phonemic awareness. Encourages independent play and exploration. Reinforces letter-sound correspondence with songs, games, and puzzles. Recommended Products LeapFrog Letter Factory DVD – Introduces letter sounds in a playful way. VTech Alphabet Apple – An interactive toy that teaches letters and phonics. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Kit – A complete phonics program for the classroom. 6. Hands-On Alphabet Puzzles Why You Need It: Alphabet puzzles help with letter recognition, sequencing, and fine motor development. How It Helps Reinforces the alphabetical order of letters. Supports fine motor development and hand-eye coordination. Creates play-based learning opportunities for younger kids. Recommended Products Melissa & Doug See & Spell Learning Toy – A self-correcting puzzle for spelling simple words. Wooden Alphabet Jigsaw Puzzle – Fun letter-matching activities for preschoolers. Pro Tip: Add puzzle activities to your classroom learning centers for self-guided play. 7. Books & Early Readers: Why You Need It: A classroom full of books is a classroom full of possibilities. Children love exploring stories, and having access to books helps them develop comprehension and vocabulary skills. How It Helps: Builds reading fluency and comprehension. Helps kids develop listening skills during read-aloud sessions. Encourages self-directed learning through independent reading. Recommended Books Bob Books Set 1: Beginning Readers – Simple books to help early readers gain confidence. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – A classroom classic that introduces sequencing and counting. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – A beloved bedtime story with simple vocabulary. 8. Sensory Play Supplies Why You Need It: Children learn best through play. Sensory bins filled with rice, sand, or water can be used for letter hunts and word-building activities. How It Helps: Promotes hands-on, sensory exploration. Builds letter recognition and vocabulary. Encourages social-emotional learning through group play. Recommended Products: Lakeshore Sensory Materials – Sand, rice, and sensory fillers for play bins. Letter Beads for Sensory Play – Alphabet beads for hands-on letter matching. 9. Listening Centers & Headphones Why You Need It: Listening centers help students hear letter sounds, phonics songs, and audiobooks. How It Helps: Reinforces listening comprehension. Allows students to work independently on literacy activities. Recommended Products Child-Safe Headphones – Durable headphones designed for kids. Portable CD Player with Headphones – Perfect for listening to audiobooks or phonics songs. 10. Reward Stickers & Prizes Why You Need It: Every child loves recognition. Use stickers to reward progress in letter recognition, phonics, or sight word mastery. Recommended Products Scratch-and-Sniff Reward Stickers Motivational Prize Box Ready to stock your classroom with the essentials? Shop our handpicked list of must-have literacy tools on Amazon and create a literacy-rich environment that your students will love! ???? Shop Classroom Supplies