Looking for simple and easy ways to teach your child to write?

 

Not sure where to begin? Check out these simple & easy activities that can help your child learn to write!

 

Do children want to lean to write?

For young children, learning to write can be a drudging process.  There are many things that go into teaching young children to write.  Can you just give them a pencil and let them figure it out and explore writing on their own?  Sure you can.  But unfortunately, most children will either stay away from writing letters or get tired of writing and making the same shapes and scribbles over and over again.  By all means, it is a good idea to give children various writing tools and let them creatively “write” things on their own.  Just know that at some point though, there will need to be some sort of formal introduction to the writing process for children, so that they are able to form the letters correctly and legibly.

 

 

 

 

There are many activities that young children can engage in as a way of introducing them to the process of writing.  The activities listed below are not an all inclusive list of activities; it is just an idea of what a teacher or parent can do to help introduce children to the world of writing.  The beginning stages of writing begins with the practicing of properly holding the writing tool; as well as pre-writing exercises that will help develop their fine motor skills. These activities are normally found in the Practical Life area in a Montessori environment.

 

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The old debate: Upper case letters vs. Lower case letters

I know that there has also been this life long debate on if the first introduction to writing letters should be upper case letters.  Many people have debated that writing upper case letters are easier than writing lower case letters.  People who support teaching to write upper case letters first feel that forming curves, loops, and circles is harder than just forming mostly straight lines; as with most upper case letters.  As a teacher who has taught many children to write during my teaching career, I disagree with this line of thinking.  If children are first given opportunities to freely and actively engage in pre-writing activities, they will have no problem with learning to write the lower case letters; and eventually the upper case letters as well.

 

Things to consider…

Before introducing actual letter writing and the formation of the letters, it is a good idea to provide opportunities for children to trace shapes or objects.  DIY shape tracing sheets are a great way to introduce young children to writing.  These shape tracing sheets are laminated and the children use a washable marker to trace the shapes.  Once complete, they use a wet sponge and wipe the sheets clean. Laminating them and using washable markers allows the sheets to be reused time and time again.  Other alternatives for tracing shapes are letter tracing and number tracing.

 

 

When initially introducing tracing to children, you should start by having them use fat markers, fat pencils, and fat crayons.  For their small hands, it will make it easier in the beginning for them to grasp and hold the writing tool.  Also, providing young children the opportunity to create and write creatively is important.  Provide various writing tools and blank paper, so that they can practice making shapes; and eventually letters on their own.

 

Related post: Montessori Practical Life color mixing activity

 

Another good tool to use are stencils.  Larger stencils of various shapes, animals, and letters are good for writing practice and for pencil grip functions.  The small letter stencils provide more of a fine motor practice of writing and still allows the children the freedom to explore creatively and independently.  You could provide a variety of stencils.  Letters, numbers, shapes, and animals are examples of the types of stencils that can provide children practice with tracing and writing.

 

 

Here are more activities that can help children learn to write

 

Letter Formation Tray

Letter Formation Sand Tray.  Sand trays are a great way for children to practice forming letters and numbers.  Have an example of the letter or number they should practice next to the sand tray.  Copying a letter or number in the sand gives children a tactile way of writing and forming letters and numbers.

 

Related post: 10 DIY fine motor activities for children

 

Chalkboards

 

Chalkboards are a great way for children to experiment on their own and practice writing and forming of letters and numbers.  Chalk provides an alternative to traditional writing and gives children the opportunity to create on their own.  You can provide samples of letters, lines or shapes for them to copy on the chalk boards.

 

Letter Tracing Books

Letter Tracing Books are another great way for children to learn and practice the proper way to make and form letters.  These letter tracing books instruct children the proper way to form letters.  Many people are unaware that there is a proper way to form each letter.

 

In the end

These activities along with providing opportunities for children to self explore freely with writing will set them on the path to learning how to write.  Please remember that each child develops at their own developmental pace, and as individuals,  they will begin to write when they have developed these skills naturally.  Having these activities readily available will hopefully entice your child to become interested in learning to write.  The Montessori principle is that as a teacher or parent, you follow the child, so it is important to do so.

 

 

 

Related post: Bubble Making…a fun & easy Montessori Practical Life activity 

 

Have any particular ideas or activities that you have used to teach your children to write?  Please share them in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Anitra J.

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