As the new alphabet song goes viral on TikTok, Rachel Platt sheds light on how these changes are benefiting young learners.
Rachel Platt, a first-grade teacher with expertise in structured literacy and dyslexia, recently gained viral attention on TikTok for her insights into a new version of the alphabet song.
Platt works with a diverse group of readers. She shared, “My background is mostly in literacy and literacy intervention. I’ve taught English to multilingual learners in Thailand, and now I help kids struggling with reading in a general-led classroom.”
In her video, Platt explains, “Kids often hear ‘LMNOP’ and don’t realize they’re individual letters, sometimes thinking it’s one long letter. Another challenge is the end of the traditional song. Kids might think ‘whyan’ or ‘enzie’ are letters when hearing ‘Y and Z.’ So, we sing it differently to make it clearer: ‘ABCDEFG / HIJKLMN / OPQ/ RST/ UVW / XYZ /Now I never will forget / how to say the alphabet.’
Even though it sounds new to many, Platt has taught the ABCs this way for her entire teaching career. “Even in college, I worked with kids with dyslexia and reading disabilities,” she says.
Platt mentions that quizzing kids on their ABCs is a core part of assessment. “They would sing the traditional song, but often stumbled at ‘LMNOP.’ So, I taught them the new version, which they were very receptive to. Even kids who didn’t need extra support said they understood the new method,” she recalls.
Parents generally accept the change, even though it differs from what they grew up with. “A lot of phonics instructions in the U.S. are brief. My teaching is based on structured literacy, which is backed by research on how the brain learns to read,” Platt explains.
Speech-language pathologist Amy Zembriski also supports the new version. She says, “I was initially shocked but realized it could positively impact children’s speech and language development. It can help kids with phonological awareness and make therapy progress smoother.”
Platt didn’t expect her explanation of the new ABCs to gain such attention. “I’ve shared early literacy tips online for years, and it’s always amusing when a video takes off. Most comments agree with the change, recognizing the logic, even if it’s a shift for adults.”
She hopes this method becomes more widespread. “Structured literacy is gaining traction, and it’s amazing to see curriculums adapting,” she notes.
As she prepares for another school year, Platt is eager to guide her first graders. “The growth from a kindergartner to a second grader is incredible, thanks to our work in literacy, math, and executive functioning skills,” she says. By the end of the year, students become independent learners ready to tackle more advanced skills. “It’s gratifying to witness their transformation from little kids to capable, organized students,” she shares. “Seeing their growth each year is really, really cool.”
