This Holes in the Alphabet pre-writing activity is a great alternative to tracing!
Write letters on pieces of construction paper. Have your child poke holes on the lines of each letter with toothpicks (going in the same direction you would to write the letter). Holding the toothpick also helps prepare your child to hold a pencil in the correct way.
This could also be used to practice forming shapes, numbers, or simple lines. Make sure to do this activity on carpet!
B lost interest after a few letters and just wanted to poke holes all over the card (which was fine with me). Another really fun moment was holding the card up to the light and looking at the way the holes shine like stars.
Jamie @ hands on : as we grow
Tuesday 19th of April 2011
Woulda never thought of this either. I'm not sure if Henry could get into this or not - but its worth a shot. I've always heard the smaller item the kids learn to hold, the better they'll learn writing later on.
Jamie @ hands on : as we grow
Melissa: Mother to 3 Little Sprouts
Tuesday 19th of January 2010
My boys loved this activity too! Great for pre writing skills!
Adriana
Sunday 20th of December 2009
We still have not tried this one. Need to put it on the list. :)
vanessa
Sunday 20th of December 2009
I like this idea. We have just started tracing, but Juliet gets so frustrated and then just scribbles all over the paper. I found that drawing in salt or shaving cream gets better results. I might try this and see what happens...