Writing activity for toddlers

15 of the Best Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

This can be a fun indoor or outdoor activity, using either a sand tray or a sandbox to complete. Get the sand wet and let children use their fingers or sticks to write out the alphabet. A fun twist is using food coloring to make colorful sand! An alternative to sand you might have on hand is flour.

Learn more: Scholastic

If you are looking for fine motor activities to help with pre-writing, look no further. This activity helps your child practice both fine motor and pre-writing skills as they manipulate the playdough and draw letters into it.

Learn more: Heidi Marie Scarsella

5. Bubble Wrap Writing

What kid doesn't love bubble wrap? After you draw the children's names on the bubble wrap, have them practice their fine motor skills by tracing the letters with their fingers. And then when they are done with this fun activity, they can pop the bubbles!

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

Using laminated card stock, children practice their hand-eye coordination using playdough to shape letters. This is great for building both pre-writing and fine motor skills. This lovely pre-writing activity is great because the kids feel like they are playing, but they are actually learning!

Learn more: Child Care Land

Another activity to strengthen children's hand-eye coordination is this activity that has them string beads onto pipe cleaners. They will use their pincer grip to hold the beads, which sets the foundation for them holding pencils and writing.

Learn more: Teaching Mama

The Kindergarten Connection offers many free printable worksheets for pre-writing. Children will learn to grip the pencil while they practice the skill of tracing. After, they can practice their fine motor skills even more by coloring in the characters (and staying within the lines!) on the worksheets.

Learn more: The Kindergarten Connection

This paper scrunching activity is great because it helps students practice multiple skills. This fun sensory activity will have them working on their hand strength (which later will aid them in writing) while also practicing fine motor skills. If you use colored tissue paper, at the end they will have completed a fun art project!

Learn more: Child Care Land

Decorating pavement with chalk drawings is a favorite activity of preschoolers. Little do they know, they are practicing their fine motor skills, which are the building blocks for their prewriting skills while doing so! Have them focus on shapes first, and then move on to letters and numbers!

Learn more: Occupational Therapy Fox C6

Another thing kids love is music and dancing. Give them opportunities to get up and move their bodies to really get them engaged in the learning process. This activity has them practicing straight and curved lines while bopping to a beat!

Learn more: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

This activity for building strength in children's hands sets the stage for writing success later on. It also allows them to explore the world around them while using their fine motor skills. This is great to put into your open-ended activities, as you can use tweezers to have children do many things--like grab certain color beads out of containers or pick up macaroni noodles scattered on the sidewalk!

Learn more: Tinkergarten

Activities with scissors and tape always engage children, as they love to manipulate the scissors and the stickiness of the tape. Use a mirror and masking tape to practice writing children's names. The best part about this enjoyable activity? Easy clean-up!

Learn more: And Next Comes L

This activity for preschoolers will have them practicing tracing shapes with stickers while at the same time practicing their pincer drip while they grip the stickers to place on the paper. After they have traced the shapes on the paper, give them the freedom to create their own shapes using the stickers.

Learn more: Busy Toddler

Follow the link above to learn how to make a push-pin maze. Children will practice pencil grip while they navigate their way through these fun mazes.

Learn more: Planning Playtime

Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers - WeAreTeachers

Pre-writing activities for preschoolers not only help our youngest learners learn the shape and structure of the letters in the alphabet, but they also serve a number of other functions as well. According to education blogger Lisette, from Where Imagination Grows, pre-writing practice teaches directionality in writing, encourages fine muscle development and coordination, and also helps students process sensory information critical to the writing process.

Here are 22 super fun, easy-to-make activities that your preschoolers will love!

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1. Squishy Bags

Source: Learning4kids

All you need to make these awesome sensory bags is resealable zipper storage bags, flour, water, and food coloring. Kids can use cotton swabs or their fingers to draw shapes, lines, and letters on the bag.

2. Bubble Wrap

Source: Coffee Cups and Crayons

What a great way to recycle all that leftover bubble wrap! Simply write letters on sheets of bubble wrap with a Sharpie and let kids pop their way to letter recognition.

3. Play-Doh Snakes

Source: In My World

Kids can’t resist the sensory lure of Play-Doh! For this activity, kids can roll small balls of dough into long snakes and form letters by bending and joining the snakes together.

4. Play-Doh and Drinking Straws

Source:  KidActivitiesBlog

Flatten out a medium-size piece of Play-Doh on a flat surface. Then use a sharp object to draw a letter on the flattened area. (Make sure that the letter is large enough to be easily recognizable when filled with straws.) Cut plastic straws into one-inch segments. Let kids “trace” the letters with the colorful straw segments.

5. Dot Markers

Source: 3 Dinosaurs

Students use dot markers to practice the mechanics of writing and get used to the angles and curves of letters. Click on the link above to download 12 free pages of pre-writing dot marker worksheets.

6. Cotton Swabs and Paint

Source: Lessons Learnt Journal

This is a fun activity to help kids work on their fine motor skills and get the hang of the all-important pencil grip.

7. LEGO Blocks

Source:  Wildflower Ramblings

Blocks! Young kids can’t get enough of building and creating with them. Put their creative energy to good work with these free printable letter cards.

8. Shaving Cream

Source: Mess for Less

This classic activity is a great starting place for pre-writers. All you need is a tray and a can of shaving cream.

9. Glitter Glue

Source: Growing Hands-On Kids

Pre-writing lines are important building blocks for any preschooler to master before learning letter formations. Download this glitter glue pre-writing line practice for preschoolers activity.

10. Beads

Source: Artsy Momma

Just like the one above, this activity builds fine motor skills that your young students need to begin writing. Instead of using glitter glue, though, students use inexpensive pony beads (found at any craft store) to follow the lines.

11. Sand Tray

 Source: Our Little House in the Country

One of the simplest activities to put together for your students to practice pre-writing is a sand tray. Kids can use their fingers or an unsharpened pencil to practice writing. As an alternative to sand, you can fill your tray with salt, flour, cornmeal, or rice.

12. Squeeze Bottle

Source:: Playdough to Plato

Fill a plastic squeeze bottle with salt or sugar and let students trace letters on cards.

13. Rainbow Tray

 Source: Where Imagination Grows

This resource is so simple to make, and kids love it! Simply tape colored tissue paper in a rainbow pattern to the bottom of a clear plastic tray. Fill it with sand, and as the kids trace lines and letters, the colors below are revealed. The image above shows the tray on top of a light table, which adds another dimension of fun to the activity!

14. Masking Tape

Source: And Next Comes L

A roll of colored masking tape and a clear surface make this a fun center activity at writing time.

15. Magnet Board

Source: Days with Gray

Tape letters onto a magnet board and let your little ones trace them with magnets. In the example above, the teacher made the letters into roads, and the students drove their car magnets along them.

16. Lacing Cards

Source: Teaching Mama

Grasping a string between tiny fingers and threading the end through the holes in a lacing card is great fine motor practice for preschoolers. It also begins to build muscle memory for holding a pencil properly.

17. Buttons

Source: Learning4Kids

Preschoolers will have so much fun creating patterns, swirls, squiggles, and zig-zags with colorful buttons. And they’ll be building skills while they’re at it!

18. Sticker Line Up

Source: Busy Toddler

Preschoolers need to use a pinching motion, which builds fine motor skills, to peel sticker dots off the page. Then, they use hand-eye coordination to place each sticker on the drawn line. This activity would be perfect for a writing or free time station.

19. Fingerprint Writing

Source: Happy Toddler Playtime

Some kids may not like to get their fingers this messy, but others will adore it! For this activity, you will need poster paper and a palette of washable ink. Draw letters, shapes, and lines on a clean piece of paper. Then, show kids how to dip their pointer finger onto the ink pad, then follow the lines dot by dot.

20. Clothespin Clipping

Source: Teaching Mama

Using a clothespin takes a lot of grip strength. This image shows a student using a clothespin to choose the correct answer to a number problem, but any activity that involves clipping will help them build the fine motor skills required for writing.

21. Cutting

Source: Play of the Wild

Cutting and snipping activities with scissors are excellent ways for children to practice fine motor skills and control. Give your students lots of opportunities to practice their cutting skills with paper, string, card stock, even Play-Doh!

22. Scrunching Paper

Source: Gympanzees

Scrunching paper into a ball is great for building hand strength. Let your students use computer paper, newspaper, tissue paper, or wrapping paper. Then play a game of paper ball tag!

What are your favorite pre-writing activities for preschoolers? Share in the comments below.

Plus, check out these amazing Sensory Table Activities.

Educational ☝️ activities for children aged 3-4, interesting activities and ✍️ development activities for a child at home ☀

Content

1. What features of this age group should be taken into account
2. What is interesting for kids aged 3-4 years
3. What types of activities can be used at home
4. What to do with a baby outside the home
5. What to do with a baby in the country
6. What to do with a baby in the park
7. How to play with a baby in a winter park
8. What to do with a child 3-4 years old on the road
9. Tips for parents on the organization of classes
10. What should the parents of the baby 3-4 years old
11. Speech development
12. Development of motor skills
13. Mathematics
14. Musical lessons
16. Development of logical thinking
17. Drawing

Children aged 3-4 years becomes very active. Many mothers are tormented by the question: “What to do with your child?”. After all, the kid should spend time with benefit. At this age, children need to develop, instill in them communication skills.

Of course, children are all different in character and temperament. Someone aged can play with one toy all day, while someone needs variety in activities.

Please note! When taking a 3-4 year old child at home with something, be sure to be there. Babies at this age should not be left unattended. Be nearby, organize your affairs so that there is a small distance between you and the child.

So, let's take a look at what developmental activities for children aged 3 and 4 are most suitable.

What features of this age group should be taken into account

3-4 years is the period when the baby begins to realize himself. He has a more perfect system of coordination of movements, he begins to move more smoothly.

Children show musical talent, they like to dance and sing.

Babies can already play in a company, keep themselves busy with games, they show interest in construction, their vocabulary is growing rapidly. The child begins to use the words that he heard from adults, turns of speech become more difficult, he begins to express his opinion.

During this period, relationships with peers and adults are formed. He becomes a participant in joint games, begins to perceive the rules of behavior in games.

Children at this age have many questions, they gain life experience. The information that a child can absorb during this period is simply colossal in its volume.

And, of course, the task of parents and teachers is to choose such educational games that would help the formation of the personality and skills of the child, both in a children's institution and at home.

Things to do for toddlers aged 3-4

Ages 3-4 are a great time to develop children's creativity. You can sculpt from plasticine or salt dough. For a child aged 3-4 years, drawing classes are interesting. Young artists with the same pleasure draw with pencils and paint with paints, they like felt-tip pens and colored crayons.

Pay attention! Children at this age cannot draw on their own, but they can paint to their liking and within their strength. There are special coloring books on sale, you can print coloring pages from the Internet.

Parents of artists need to be careful, because at the age of 3-4 years, children like to draw not only on paper. They like walls and doors. Drawing boards can be an interesting option. It is convenient to install such a board at home - it takes up little space.

At this age, children can be occupied with constructors. For 3-4 years, constructors made of plastic parts are suitable. Children are especially interested in towers and houses, which they build with pleasure. At home, you can allow children to create houses from improvised materials - pillows, chairs, blankets.

When a child reaches the age of 3-4, parents begin to think about additional developmental education.

Moms and dads choose developing activities, circles or sections for their crumbs. Children are taken to swimming, gymnastics. If you start studying a foreign language, the result will be very good.

But you can work with children outside the home. A child of 3-4 years old is useful to stay in the air.

Outdoor activities are varied. Children of this age are attracted to the sandbox, where they play and build with pleasure. A playground is a place where a child can play and relax in comfort.

Fine motor skills: 3-4 year olds enjoy laying out mosaic patterns and looking at pictures in books. They are interested in moving toys.

Activities you can use at home

Here are activities for 3 and 4 year olds that you can use at home:

1. Children at the age of three and four love to reproduce the world around them on paper. Prepare pencils or felt-tip pens for drawing with your child. Discuss what he wants to draw, ask what color the objects in his drawing will be. Give him large sheets of paper or even a piece of unwanted wallpaper. The scale will capture your baby, and he will be busy for a long time.
2. Before you give pencils, offer him to work with a sharpener - then he will draw more enthusiastically.
3. You can keep your child busy with a hole punch. Show how a hole puncher works, let him make confetti from old magazines for the New Year holidays.
4. Fun for kids and cutting with scissors. By the age of four, children can cut out simple figures. Make stencils of geometric shapes. Let it cut. And then build an application with it. This is a great activity for a child of 3 years old at home - developing.

   Developing board can keep a child busy for a long time

5. You can give the child stencils of various objects (available on sale, you can make your own from cardboard) or letters. The kid circles the stencil, and then paints.
6. It is difficult to force children to sculpt from plasticine alone. Roll up a lot of sausages for him - let him cut into pieces, and then lay out the pattern on a sheet of cardboard.
7. Pull the rope, give clothespins and let him hang his things, and then collect them.
8. Children are fascinated by working with carbon paper. Show him the technology. Be sure - your child will be engaged in work with interest.
9. Kinetic sand will help out parents, children like this activity.
10. You can buy stickers for children and give them an album - the child will stick until he uses all the stickers.
11. Children can also be occupied with drawing by dots. Download these pictures from the Internet.
12. Children may be interested in the magnifying glass. Give him small pictures - let him look through a magnifying glass.
13. There is an interesting invention - puzzles. Pick up your baby sets according to age and interests. It will take a very long time, rest assured.

    Wooden puzzles for children 3-4 years old

Almost all the proposed options are educational: kids are not only busy with exciting and useful activities.

If mom is cooking something out of dough, then give the child a piece - let him make his contribution.

There is another interesting activity: take large beans, pasta and some peas, move them around and let your child sort them into three containers. Play as needed help around the house. Be sure to praise.

In general, the kitchen attracts both girls and boys - fantasize, and your little helper will be happy to complete tasks.

What to do with the baby outside the home

Often, being away from home, kids are tormented by the fact that they do not know what to do. Here are some options for developing activities for children 4 years old and 3 years old.

In the summer, children aged 3-4 are attracted to the sandbox. All sand games are educational. Building different figures, breaking through the grooves, the baby learns shapes and volumes through the hands. Exposure through the hands has a beneficial effect on speech activity. It is interesting and very convenient to play on the sand:

• Wet sand can be molded into many figures using molds. For example, invite your child to create a sand park or make pies for a puppet dinner;
• on a flat surface, you can "draw" a picture of the sand.

Place plastic skittles or bottles in the clearing and let the child learn to "dribble" the ball between them.

There is a mini-ring on the playgrounds, give the ball and offer to throw it into the basket, moreover, from different distances.

Give your child crayons to draw on the pavement. Show how to draw cells - the kid will be happy to jump on them.

What to do with your baby in the country

It is easy to keep your baby busy in the summer:

What to do in the park

In the autumn park, invite your child to collect a collection of autumn leaves. Before the walk, prepare a bag or box where he will put his treasures.

Another variant of an outdoor game is to offer the kid jogging, for example, to a green bench, to a large stone, to a mountain ash, etc.

How to play with your baby in the winter park

Here are a few options:

1. Draw a circle in the snow, mark the center and arrange a competition to hit the target with snowballs.
2. Play as a sly little fox that covers its tracks with its tail. Together with the child, find a branch. The kid will walk in the snow and cover his tracks with a twig.
3. There is also an interesting game “Who walks how” - the kid depicts the gait of different animals, jumps like a hare, runs like a wolf or a bear.
4. Draw patterns or bird tracks on the snow.
5. You can run along the paths of the park and look for trees that look like different animals.
6. At this age, babies begin to learn letters - trample them on fresh snow.

   Winter activities - snowballs, sledges, snow removal

How to entertain a 3-4 year old child on the road

It happens that a family with a child of this age has to go on a trip. It is difficult for restless kids to sit still in transport. What can distract him?

1. In the car, you can play like this: who will be the first to see the car, for example, red or blue roof.
2. You can simply ask to name the objects that he sees.
3. Invite your child to observe the clouds - what they look like, how they change.
4. Prepare a box of small toys for him to sort and play with. Ask to talk about each.
5. Play yes-no. For example, does the kitten bark? The child answers "no".
6. Read poems on the way, remember songs for children.

You can safely take felt-tip pens and albums on the train - let the child draw what he sees through the window or depict the train. Give your child a wet wipe to wipe the table and doors.

On the plane let the child look around. It is better to choose places for children near the aisle. So there will be room to stand up if needed. Show him the pillow, the straps, the porthole, the folding table.

You can keep your baby busy with magnetic puzzles - they are designed specifically for trips - they will not crumble. Look in children's stores for games on the road - these are cards and special tasks.

Must Read: How to Develop Creative ⚱️ Imagination in Preschoolers

Tips for Parents on Organizing Classes

Here are some good tips for parents:

Tasks must be formulated in a simple and accessible form for his age.

What parents of a 3-4 year old baby should know

This is:

1. For a baby at this age, peace is an opportunity to move, be active.
2. Of course, classes and tasks should be gradually made more difficult, but still, you should also return to simple-type exercises. For example, if a child is sick, he feels unwell, then there is no need to come up with difficult tasks for him.
3. Please note that the child in this period of life endows inanimate objects with consciousness.
4. The child is developing an understanding of the world, so try to ensure that the fundamental concepts are formed correctly.
5. Do not rush the baby - he will gradually understand and learn everything.

At the age of 3-4, children develop intensive speech - it becomes more complex and expanded, its vocabulary changes. The sentences are getting longer and more complicated. Speech development classes are necessary to expand vocabulary, improve conversational skills, develop the ability to formulate and coherently express one's thoughts. Children learn to build grammatically correct sentences, including complex ones, use prepositions and decline words. At 3-4 years old, many children know and use polite words in speech - “thank you”, “please”, “hello”, etc.

Exercises for the development of speech of younger preschoolers:

• compiling a short story based on a plot picture;
• description of the item from the picture;
• grouping items by feature;
• games using prepositions - moving an object on the table, under the table, etc. ;
• study of the characteristics, signs and properties of objects from pictures;
• grouping of objects by purpose;
• retelling of a short fairy tale.

Also, the speech development program for children 3-4 years old should include games that introduce the child to the forms of words in the plural, develop skills in the correct use of forms of verbs, pronouns and prepositions. Assignments should be interesting and appropriate for the age of the child.

At the age of 3-4, children may experience problems in the pronunciation of certain sounds, so articulation exercises will be very useful. You can study at home, with the help of special literature.

Classes for speech development:

Photo: vseprorebenka.ru