M.C.
Like the other ladies I think it's a great idea to teach your toddlers the basics even before Kindergarten (as long as you make it fun). The phonics class definitely won't hurt. However, I purchased a Leap Frog Fridge Phonics (about $20) and both my kids used it to learn the sound of the alphabet (my daugher is 5 now and my son is 2 1/2). It's magnetic, you put it on the fridge and it has all the letters of the alphabet. When the child puts a letter on, it sings a little song about the sound the letter makes. It's cute, inexpensive and fun so most kids like it!