New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What type of letters should be avoided when teaching letter identification to prevent confusion?

1. G and j

2. B and d

3. M and n

4. P and f

The correct answer is: B and d

The answer centers on the letters 'B' and 'D' because they can often lead to confusion among young learners. Both letters are visually similar in shape, with 'B' having a straight vertical line and two rounded parts, while 'D' features a similar vertical line but with a single rounded section. This similarity in structure can easily confuse children who are just beginning to learn letter identification, especially those who are still developing their visual discrimination skills. Avoiding these letters early on during instruction can help reinforce their understanding and recognition of letters that are distinctly different from one another. Educators often choose to introduce letters with less visual similarity to help students build a more solid foundation in literacy. Other choices may not present the same level of confusion; for example, 'M' and 'N' have more distinctive shapes that are less likely to be mistaken for each other.