Well spring is here and I hope you have been able to enjoy some of the sunshine.
Thinking of outdoor activities for children, things start to really happen in spring. Outdoor events take place and places are opening up again after winter.
There are lots of good pre writing activities that can be done outside with young children or those who need some additional help with letter formation for example. A sand pit does not have to be big or expensive. A child can then use their finger or a small stick to write letters in the sand. Sand is great as it can be quickly and effectively be smoothed back again and the practice can begin once more.
Writing in soil is as effective but can be a little messy, so great fun.
Fill a water bottle and stand to write large letters. It is important to practice a letter writing in large form before scaling down when teaching young children to first make and begin to form letters. Water can be gently squeezed from a water bottle and make very effective letter writing practice.
Again with water, use a large paintbrush to write letters on slabs, paths or fences. The amount of water used will not harm anything and it provides a very tactile experience. Children can really feel what they are doing.
Anything multi-sensory can help build muscle memory and general memory can improve through touch.
Writing my letters
I’m writing my letters in the sand and dirt.
I love it you see, and never get hurt.
It’s great as I can really feel
when to move up tall when doing a t
and bend down and around for the tail of a g.
I can paint on path or fence
Its really great and gives me strength
to feel that I can write my letters
I can succeed
so pardon me now while I go practice my e’s
