The Writing "Window"

When kiddos are learning letters and practicing how to write their name, it often helps to isolate the letters they are learning to recognize. A simple way to do this is to use the writing "window"~~ cut a small magnifier type window and laminate so the child can look through the window at the letter they are trying to copy. This is so simple yet so helpful for focusing attention and reinforcing recognition of each letter. Kiddos quickly learn to request the window when writing and always love this little tool!

Jen Dermody, OTR/L

25 Ways to Practice Letters WITHOUT a pencil!

While I am enjoying summer break in a major way and not quite ready to think about school yet, I DO love when kiddos continue to learn, learn, learn whether they are in school or not!  Sitting down with a pencil and paper may not be the most appealing activity in the middle of July however there are plenty of other ways to practice letters and tons of fun doing it!  Here are 25 ideas to get you started ~~

1.  Sidewalk chalk
2.  Finger paints
3.  "Painting" with a paintbrush and bucket of water on the sidewalk
4.  Wikki Stix
5.  A salt tray
6.  "Do-a-Dot"

7.  Shaving cream!
8.  Dry erase board
9.  Scented crayons
10.  Glitter glue
11.  Sticker "dots"

12.  A rice tray (and you can color the rice with food coloring!)
13.  Window markers
14.  "Write" with a stick in the dirt
15.  Bathtub crayons
16.  AquaDoodle or Magna Doodle
17.  Popsicle sticks
18.  Tear pieces of paper and glue on letter models

19. Frootloops or Cheerios

20.  Make some homemade play-doh (loads of recipes online) and roll into letters

21.  Ziploc bag filled with hair gel and sealed with tape

22.  Paint on an easel

23.  A small chalkboard

24.  Yarn

25.  Letter lacing cards

Learning can be so much FUN!  With a little creativity, your kiddo will be all ready when school starts again in a few weeks!

Jen Dermody, OTR/L

Lovin' Letters

You've heard me say that it's just so important for kids to practice letters in lots of ways BESIDES using a pencil.  OT's call this a multi-sensory approach and it helps for kids to use ALL of their senses when learning.  The kindergarten students at one of my schools are learning the alphabet and their teachers did a great job using a multi-sensory approach!  Students were given large paper cut outs of all of the capital letters.  They painted the letters and then glued on items that start with that letter.  For example, the letter B has lots of BUTTONS:

Letter C is decorated with COTTON and CANDLES:

And while letter Q can be a challenge, this student used Q-TIPS!

The students used all sorts of creative items to glue on their letter paintings.  The various items will help the children learn and remember the letters which in turn will improve literacy and writing skills!   If you want to practice at home and don't want a whole hallway of big letters, you can modify the activity and use smaller letters to find just 1-2 items for each letter. Maybe put a funny hat on the child.....we'll call it the "Thinking Cap"......and search the house for items that match the letter.  Lots of fun!

Jen Dermody, OTR/L

Your Name in GLITTER!

I've never met a kiddo who doesn't love GLITTER!  As I've stated in earlier posts, it's really important for kids to practice letters in LOTS of ways and not just with a pencil.  This activity helps children to get more familiar with letters and also works on hand and finger strength. 

An adult prints the child's name on a piece of cardstock and then have the kids "trace" the letters using glitter glue.  It takes some muscle in those little fingers to be able to squeeze out the glue and manage the coordination to keep the glitter on the lines.  When the tracing is complete, sit it aside until the next day so that it's good and dry.  Once dry, the letters are raised up and the child can trace the letters with his finger.  I found this great bucket of 50 glitter glue tubes at a local craft store.....look at all of the colors!  With my Sunday paper coupon, it was only about $5.00 for this bucket of fun! 

This activity could be done with other letters too or with shapes.  If the child isn't able to do the glitter glue himself, an adult can glue and the child can practice the tracing once it's dry.  OR if your goal is simply improving hand strength and muscle development, then don't worry about learning letters and just put out a fun bucket of glitter glue in lots of colors and let the child create a beautiful picture!

Jen Dermody, OTR/L