Being a parent, you know how hard it is to teach kids how to write. They can find it difficult to focus when they have so many distractions, and digital temptations, around them. And isn’t it frustrating when they can write emoticons or text messages but when you ask them to print their name, they hesitate?
Luckily, there are new ways of teaching writing for kids that can make the task more enjoyable for both the child and parent!
Thinking of enrolling your kids to a centre that gives value to their individual learning requirements? Visit our Early Learning Program page to find out more about the curriculum we offer.
This alphabet bead activity will allow your child to practice identifying pictures with letters and also be able to wear them at all times while learning.
When doing this activity, always remember to use safety scissors when cutting the string and place the beads in a tray to avoid choking hazards and to have easy access for them to pick the letter they want. This is a fun way for them to develop independent writing behaviours.
A letter race can be played with several players. The goal of the game is for each player to write a certain letter on a piece of paper by following verbal instructions given by an adult. A piece of paper and a pen should be available to all players. If your instructions are to write the letters “M, A, and X”, then the one who completes these three letters most quickly wins. The winner gets to choose their snack as a reward for winning this fun activity that teaches how to write letters.
To make this activity a little more fun, you can buy alphabet cookie cutters and have your child bake letters. This will be your child’s favourite as it gives them a chance to decorate the cookies with icing. You can use the cookies to reinforce explorations of letters or you could have your child write the name of one of their friends on a cookie, and give it to them on their friend’s birthday.
A fun way for your child to familiarize themselves with letters is to fill them with objects. In place of writing materials, use an object that represents each letter of the alphabet. To illustrate, here are some examples: a round alarm clock for letter “O”, an angle formed on a wooden bench for letter “L” and a cleaning mop for letter “T”. Children in preschool and kindergarten will enjoy this method as it is fun and encourages creativity.
This is a great game to play when you have a group of children of varying ages. You will need to print out letters of the alphabet and pictures of some objects.
Have the children match the initial sound of the letter with the object it represents. As an example, if the picture shows a dinosaur, the child would place the letter “D” beside it.
There are fun, comprehensive, easy-to-use alphabet workbooks designed specifically to help kids trace lines and be fluent with the alphabet. This free alphabet letter tracing workbook has different pages focusing on capital letters A-Z and pictures that represent the beginning sound of every letter, and gives children opportunities to colour as part of a fun learning activity.
Alphabet stickers offer great child activities for learning. Letters with colourful characters will surely delight preschool children. These free printable alphabet stickers make practising easy. Each of the letter stickers can be placed on printed or blank paper so that your child can practice letter formation at ease.
This offers a fun way for your child to see how each letter is made by picking letters from a stack of letters. Your child will practice letter recognition and letter formation with this fun game.
The alphabet is the most basic letter that a child should learn how to write. From there, they can develop strong writing skills, learn how to write their name, develop their reading skills, and eventually enhance their oral language features. They should then be able to continue on with their writing development and progress over time with difficult words and later be ready for the first day of school.
When teaching children how to write, exposure to print materials that are age appropriate is a good idea. It helps them learn how to read and write while having fun. Printing out worksheets with pictures that have letters and words on them can also be a good way to learn how to write in preparation for writing papers independently.
It is a good idea to give kids the opportunity to use actual tools instead of just pretending to hold it with their fingers. Here are a few options:
Lined Paper
Using a lined paper helps your child to see where to start and end a line. They will be able to trace over the lines with their pencil if they need an example.
Felt-Tip Markers or Child Crayons
Works best for young children who are still developing fine motor skills.
Another good option for older children who can hold a pencil correctly. They can practice writing straight lines and filling in spaces.
Pens
You may want to select a pen with a dull tip so that it’s not too easy for your child to poke themselves. Other than that, it should work the same as a pencil.
Interactive books can be lots of fun for your child. They can use the book as a way to practice writing letters and numbers while having fun. Choose books that have colours and activities to keep your child engaged.
Putting the paper on a flat surface helps them to have a better pencil grip and helps them to write more clearly and stay in the lines.
The University of Melbourne Early Learning Centre say that games and play are the best way of teaching your child how to write as it is a fun and engaging activity that allows them to learn without realising that they are.
You have to give kids time to learn writing skills. They need a lot of practice and it is important that you teach them with the right methods. These are just some great ways to do so, but there are always more out there! What creative teaching techniques have worked best for your child?
Need assistance or more suggestions? Get in touch with us at info@littlescribblers.com.au.
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