Teaching Letters to Preschoolers

There are several great and fun stategies to aid in teaching letters to young children 2-5 who enjoy doing hands on things. I have found that making a child hold a pencil to early in life (3 or for some kids four) can lead to many problems with handwriting later in life. One thing to remember when teaching a kid to write is to use a short writing tool. Imagine yourself using a 2 foot long pencil. That is what small child feels like with a full length pencil in hand. Instead try using a crayon. They will enjoy the colorful part and it will be easier to manage.

Secondly, if the child isn't displaying good handwriting posture (thumb and two fingers) abandon writing utensils altogether until the child is old enough to hold the tool properly. Instead practice letters in a different but fun and still very effective way.

Here are some ideas to try.
*Use play dough rolled into long strips and arrange the pieces into letters.
*Put shaving cream on a surface and let the child make letters with it.
*Use blocks and plenty of floor space to write the letters with blocks.
*Find blocks with letters printed on them. Let the child find a block a you say the letter. Show them how to form their name.

Here is a website with endless links for preschool age children. http://www.internet4classrooms.com/prek.htm