LITERACY: Writing & the ABC’s
Ways to Learn the ABC’s …
without holding a pencil!
As a child begins to use drawings to represent different ideas, they are beginning to write.
Straight lines and circles begin to represent items in their lives.
PRE-WRITING Activities
Two skills are needed before a child can successfully write manuscript:
•Small muscle coordination•Hand-eye coordination
SMALL MUSCLE Activities: Any activities where the child is
using their fingers will help to develop these small muscles.
Needed to hold a pencil and make basic strokes
Some examples of activities are:
•Puzzles - building blocks, play dough, clay, rubber stamps, magnet letters, small cars and trucks, crayons, etc.
EYE-HAND Coordination The allows the child’s hand to
react to what the eye sees. These activities will help the
child to develop writing skills:•Drawing, tracing, cutting, painting,
pasting, finger paints, typing (key boards) lacing cards, stringing items, etc.
Try it……
HandwritingHandwriting
Child’s NameChild’s Name TAKE THE TIME AND EFFORT TO
LEARN HOW TO SPELL THE CHILD’S NAME CORRECTLY!
ALWAYS CONFIRM THE SPELLING OF A NAME UNTIL YOU HAVE IT MEMORIZED!
MANUSCRIPT WRITING
ZANER BLOSER First they learn curved and straight lines Second they learn round letters (O, C) and curved
letters (S, D). Curved letters that have intersections (B, R) Letters with diagonal lines (K, X) and horizontal
lines (L, H) litoadcefgjqusbhprnvywkxz 12345678910 Letters made with letters and circles are easiest
Make writing & letters FUN!
The majority of preschool children lack the small muscle control and eye-hand coordination, at first, for traditional writing methods.
Provide a variety of ABC activities for the children.
Early Writing/ABC activities:• Sensory letter activities • Games, songs, books• Label on items • Word and letter recognition in familiar names and
signs
Handwriting TestHandwriting TestToday is your handwriting test Today is your handwriting test
on correct printing.on correct printing.Write the entire Alphabet, Write the entire Alphabet,
numbers 1-10 and Your First numbers 1-10 and Your First and Last Name – Correctly!and Last Name – Correctly!