A personalised wooden alphabet set can be used for simple, supervised letter play: holding and comparing shapes, finding familiar initials, sorting letters and gradually arranging names or short words when the child shows interest. The AtaNova Wooden Alphabet Set contains 26 A–Z letters made from natural, untreated solid wood and a personalised wooden keepsake box with a brass clasp. Each letter is approximately 50 mm high and 6 mm thick; the box measures approximately 18 × 12 × 12 cm.
This guide is about how to use the set through play after you have chosen it. If you are still comparing contents, dimensions, material, age guidance, storage and delivery before purchase, read the Wooden Alphabet Set Buying Guide.
Start with a few familiar letters
There is no need to place all 26 letters in front of the child at once. Begin with a small group, such as the first letter of the child’s name and a few noticeably different shapes. Let the child hold, turn, compare and move them before introducing a structured activity.
- Find the first letter of the child’s name.
- Match a wooden letter to the same letter in a book.
- Compare straight, curved and similar shapes.
- Sort a few letters into simple groups.
- Return the letters to the box together when play ends.
Use the child’s name as a simple next step
A familiar name gives the letters personal context. Start with the initial, then add the remaining letters gradually. With adult help, the child can find the letters, place them in order and compare them with the personalised name on the keepsake box.
When this becomes familiar, the same idea can be used with a parent’s, sibling’s or other familiar name. The goal does not need to be a correct result every time; the activity can remain exploratory.
Move from matching to simple words
When the child is interested in more than individual letters, use short familiar words rather than introducing many new combinations at once. The same set can support different levels of play over time without turning every session into a lesson.
- Match selected letters to printed examples.
- Arrange a familiar name with help.
- Place a few letters in alphabetical order together.
- Build a short familiar word when appropriate.
- Allow free sorting, grouping and stacking between guided activities.
Keep play supervised and open-ended
The set is intended for children from 18 months with adult supervision. Offer only as many letters as the child can comfortably engage with, stop when attention moves elsewhere and inspect the pieces regularly. Do not continue using a damaged letter. The keepsake box has a brass clasp and should not be left with a young child unattended.
The letters and box are natural, untreated solid wood. Keep them dry and clean them gently with a soft, dry cloth. Do not soak, rinse or place them in a dishwasher.
Make storage part of the routine
The personalised box is useful during play because it keeps all 26 letters together. Putting the letters back can become a simple closing routine: collect, count if useful, return and store.
Later, when regular alphabet play is no longer part of everyday life, the same box can be reused for small childhood keepsakes such as photographs, cards, notes or other meaningful mementoes.
What is included?
- 26 A–Z letters: natural, untreated solid wood.
- Letter size: approximately 50 mm high × 6 mm thick.
- Personalised keepsake box: approximately 18 × 12 × 12 cm.
- Closure: brass clasp.
- Personalisation: selected wording engraved on the lid.
- Design Proof: digital layout preview by email before engraving.
Personalisation and Design Proof
Enter the personalisation exactly as it should appear, including spelling, capital letters, punctuation and any date. AtaNova sends a digital Design Proof before engraving so the proposed layout can be checked and approved.
Each set is made to order in our atelier in Antwerp. Production and preparation take 1–2 business days after Design Proof approval where applicable, within the overall delivery promise of 3–5 business days from the order date.
Choosing the set for a gift
The set can work as a birthday, baby-shower, naming, christening or nursery gift when the recipient wants a personalised object that can first be used for supervised letter play and later as a keepsake box. It is not presented as official Montessori teaching material.
View the AtaNova Wooden Alphabet Set — A–Z Letters & Keepsake Box
For more personalised nursery and children’s pieces, browse the Baby & Kids collection. The ordering and approval process is explained on How It Works.
Frequently asked questions
How can the wooden alphabet set be used for play?
Letters can be held, compared, sorted, matched to printed letters, arranged into familiar names and used for short word activities under adult supervision.
What age is the set intended for?
From 18 months with adult supervision.
Is it official Montessori material?
No. It is not sold as official Montessori teaching material, although its tactile and open-ended format can suit Montessori-inspired play.
Can the box be used later?
Yes. After regular letter play, the personalised box can be reused to store small childhood keepsakes.
