Monday 27 January 2014

Alex's writing skills!

Alex has had a keen interest in letters for some time now.

From a young age he could recognise car logos, and large store logos-which I guess is kind of similar and a start to learning letters and ultimately learning to write.

He has a Maisy book which has the Alphabet on one page which from the age of about 2 1/2 he liked trying to find his 'A' for Alex and we progressed onto letters for his closest friend's names and Mummy, Daddy, Grandad and Nanny.

Since starting preschool just before turning 3 I think his desire to do more mark making grew and was often found at home with a notebook 'writing'.

The last 9 months or so he has got quite good a writing his name, which makes me so proud seeing it written along the bottom of cards and thank you letters-even when it does take over the whole length of the paper!

Around Christmas he really took great pride in writing Mum, Dad, Sam on all our birthday cards (which are all just before Christmas) but one thing that was magical was him copying my writing for his Christmas list to send to Father Christmas.


He was so, so proud when he finished his letter, his smiled beamed from ear to ear, and mine was a mirror image.

Since then he has come home from preschool with his name written on his artwork by himself rather than the teachers too which always makes me smile-but also makes me realise how quick my first baby is growing up!!

Things that have helped with Alex's want to learn to write are:

1. Dry erase boards
 Alex got given this crayola set for his birthday and it's great for practising letters or shapes. I use it by drawing one or two letters and then Alex can copy underneath. I find the fact that it's on a board much more appealing for Alex than writing on paper. (This one is also quite quirky as it is dry erase crayons rather than pens so much less messy too)!








 2. Dry erase flash cards
 Another crayola set, but on a smaller scale, these are great as they show upper and lower case letters and on the flip side have lined areas and and dotted letters to trace over then space to copy a few too.




3. Copying writing
If he is writing a name say 'Nanny' which is isn't used to writing I will write it on a separate piece of paper for him to copy. Now that we have been doing this fairly often he can usually copy a whole word at a time, but to start with I would show him slowly how to draw the letters individually.

4. Mark making
This is the most important part of writing, for children to be able to write they need to be able to hold the required tools for the job. Alex loves to draw/write on paper. A fun way to 'write' is to make it a role play game, got a small note pad? Why not pretend to be a waiter? Make a shopping list?

5. Alphabet toys
Many toys on the market include the alphabet in some way or another. At Christmas Sam received alphabet Mega blocks but Alex can make use of them too by trying to spell out the 3 or 4 letters. To aid him I sound out the words slowly so that he can try and word out the correct letters-this is something we have only just started doing. We also have a set of magnetic letters from ELC which we have used on the fridge and other times too!



6. Books
Probably an obvious one, but reading to you children will help them so much. This first words one is great as it has lots of everyday items, each with a photo and the spelling too. We have used our magnetic letters to find the same letters to spell out words.






And my biggest tip, try not to force it, if the little one isn't interested at the time don't push them, just make a game of it when they are in the right mood, try and spot letters on packaging, shops, signs etc when you are out and about too.




14 comments:

  1. You have some great tips there for encouraging little ones to learn to write. Now do you have any for the older ones? My 4yr old hates it but has to do it for school now. I often have to battle with him to do his homework. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Umm well Alex was 4 in Nov, I'm not sure he will be so willing when it is sort of forced upon him September when he starts school (as ready as he will be for it by then as already out growing preschool in some ways)! If it's any consolation he is not in the slightest bothered by learning numbers! x

      Delete
  2. Great post! Really useful. I agree with what you say about not pushing it. Pip was not at all interested in writing before school, he could just about write his name, but one term in he is getting far more into it. One thing I've found really helped was getting him some bigger size chunky B pencils, they are fatter than normal HB pencils and so much easier to grip. So pleased to hear that Alex is doing so well. It sounds like he's going to love school!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I bet there are huge changes once they start school, as much as I am dreading Alex going I am looking forward to some things developing too. Will have to look into chunky pencils too. I think he will be more than ready for it in some ways being a Nov birthday! x

      Delete
  3. Great little list of tools that can help with writing. Alex is so keen, bless him! It is brilliant that you are encouraging him. Mel

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you, I need to try and not just focus on letters and do numbers sometimes too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think thats an amazing letter! and some super tips honey its always scary knowing when to start and what with.

    thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, yes I know what you mean. I think you just have to gage you own child don't you x

      Delete
  6. Wow, he's a really great writer for his age isn't he?! My 4 year old just started school in September (he's an end-of-august birthday so the youngest in the school!) and is only just getting to this stage. We've always had loads of drawing stuff around and encouraged our boys to get creative. They spend hours drawing (and my 6 year old writing) now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are all so different aren't they. He really is not bothered about numbers at all so think that may be what we may struggle with once he is at school!

      Delete
  7. Great tips! I love the letter to santa, hope he got everything #MagicMoments

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Yes he was spoilt!! Didn't help that a santa in toys r us promised him an expensive gift which put us in a tricky situation! x

      Delete
  8. Wow, it looks like he's doing brilliantly for his age! Those Mega Blocks with letters are a great idea, I've not seen them before

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure if they were perhaps a new product last year as not noticed them before that. x

      Delete

Thanks for taking the time to comment :)