Letter Names & Sounds IEP goals for preschool (ages 3 to 5)
15 of the letter names & sounds templates in the library are written for preschool (ages 3 to 5). Each opens in the builder, where the grade band is a starting point and the baseline comes from your own assessment.
15 templates · 1 skill · Pre-K · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Letter Names & Sounds Reading
Point to a named letter
Receptive letter identification
By the annual IEP review date, given a row of 3 uppercase letter cards and the spoken name of one of them, the student will point to or touch the named letter independently with at least 85% accuracy on letter identification trials, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Name uppercase letters shown in random order
Uppercase letter naming
By the annual IEP review date, given 26 uppercase letter cards shown one at a time in random order, the student will say the name of each letter independently with at least 90% accuracy on uppercase letters, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Name lowercase letters shown in random order
Lowercase letter naming
By the annual IEP review date, given 26 lowercase letter cards shown one at a time in random order, the student will say the name of each letter independently with at least 90% accuracy on lowercase letters, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Match uppercase letters to lowercase letters
Matching uppercase and lowercase
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 uppercase letter cards and a row of the 10 matching lowercase letter cards in mixed order, the student will place each uppercase letter on or next to its lowercase partner independently with at least 90% accuracy on letter pairs, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Name the letters in their first name
Letters in own name
By the annual IEP review date, given a name card with the student's first name printed in uppercase and lowercase, the student will point to and name each letter in their first name from left to right independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected daily during arrival or sign-in.
Sort letters from numbers and shapes
Distinguishing letters from other symbols
By the annual IEP review date, given a mixed set of 12 cards showing letters, numerals, and simple shapes, the student will sort the cards into letters and not-letters independently with at least 90% accuracy on sorted items, across 3 consecutive sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Preschool letter names & sounds goals are measured inside daily routines rather than with worksheets, and the criteria are small: a few opportunities a day, a handful of steps, short periods of time. Conditions name the routine (circle, centers, snack) so any adult in the room can take the data.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
Frequently asked questions
What do letter names & sounds goals look like for preschool?
They describe a readiness or developmental skill performed during a classroom routine, with a criterion in opportunities or steps. The support level is written in, since most preschool goals start with prompting and fade it.
How often should preschool goals be measured?
A few opportunities on most days, recorded on a trial or task-analysis sheet. Short, frequent samples match how young children show skills.
Does a preschool IEP need the same parts as a school-age IEP?
Yes. Measurable annual goals, present levels, and progress reporting are required at every age under 34 CFR 300.320. Preschool IEPs may also address participation in appropriate activities rather than the general curriculum.
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