Learning to Write Letters {Pre-K}

So, I LOVE finding worksheets to keep my 3-year old's mind ever expanding but I HATE wasting paper. So, here is a quick and simple way to accomplish both.

1. Buy plastic page protector sheets
2. Print out your worksheets. I go to a few websites but this is one I prefer: The Learning Station. They also have shapes, colors and number worksheets that work great with this method as well.
3. Place your copies into the sheet protectors. I place 2 sheets back-to-back per sheet. You can also just do a double-sided sheet of paper.
4. Place into a binder or folder.
5. Give your budding student a dry eraser marker and something to wipe the sheet clean. *TIP: keep window or dry eraser board cleaner handy. Red leaves residue but a quick sprits and wipe down and it's clean.
6. Watch your child go!

I also help my son go through the sounds of each letter so he can start associating the letter with the sounds. This is a great phonics activity. Here are some other things you can do in order to assist your child in learning to read:

• Pick 5 items from your home and put them in a bag. Ask your child to pick one item at a time and tell you what sound the item starts with.
• Write a single letter on several index cards and place them on items that start with that letter and scatter them in different locations around the house. Have your child hunt for the items and bring them to you. You can then ask them to tell you the sound based on the item.
• Read "Early Reader" books to your child. These can be found at any public library.
• Go to story time. It gives you a chance to get out of the house and interact with your child in a different environment.
• Eat snacks that only start with the letter you're trying to teach. (A - apples and ants on a log; C- carrots and crackers; Z- zucchini bread; etc).
• Go to the zoo, aquarium or animal sanctuary and talk about what the first sound is of each animal.

The key to teaching anyone how to read is consistency in whatever it is you decide to do and ENJOY doing it. If you or your child are not enjoying it, change the activity or the method of teaching. Learning should be organic at this stage. It doesn't need to be a formal "sit and teach" atmosphere. Allow your child to talk and direct the learning with a little help from you. Assist them in exploring their world and seeing what amazing things there are out there. Learning to read expands that world!

Happy Motherhood!

DeeDee