It is a normal part of every child’s education to learn the alphabet. It may seem like a pointless exercise. When will you ever need to recite the alphabet from start to finish except in a classroom environment? However, it is a vital part of a child’s education and has several purposes, not only for while they are at school, but for skills needed in their adult life.

During a child’s preschool years, an important milestone begins to emerge. This is the development of pre-writing skills. Pre-writing skills are used to encourage, develop and support opportunities for the preschool child to begin writing.

When your child begins to show interest in writing, it is really an exciting time which should be encouraged.

Pre writing skills involve the skills a child needs in order to learn to write. These skills include sensor motor skills which enable a child to hold and use a pencil which gives them the ability to copy, trace, draw and color. One of the fundamentals of pre-writing skills is pattern writing. Pattern writing is specific stokes that comprise in all letters and numbers. As a child practices pattern writing through copying and tracing this will give them the confidence and ability to write letters and numbers correctly.

This activity provides a great way to encourage your child to practice alphabets while strengthening fine motor skills and pencil grasp!

Steps:

1. Outline a figure (animal/ shape/ flower etc.) on paper with a portion marked in alphabets instead of tracing

2. Have your child join the alphabets (in order), so as to complete the picture !