How to Develop Your Child's Pre-Writing Skills Through Creative Play

Play games and put together puzzles that have small pieces.

Learning pre-writing skills at home will help simplify your child's transition to school. To make the learning more enjoyable and interactive, choose creative activities to teach such things as fine-motor skills, balance, precision, strength and hand-eye coordination -- all of which are necessary for learning to write. Basic everyday activities teach these skills, but creative activities have the added benefit of enhancing your child's imagination.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Art supplies
• Easel
• Small table
• Miniature toys
• Games
• Puzzles

1. Introduce various arts and crafts into your child's daily schedule. Using items such as crayons, markers, finger paints, scissors and glue will improve her hand-eye coordination, hand stability and other fine-motor skills.

2. Have your child lie on his stomach while playing with games or doing his art projects. By lying down and holding his head up, he will improve his stability.

3. Set up a child-size easel with markers or finger paints so that your child can stand while drawing or painting. Have her kneel over a small craft table during craft projects. Both of these activities will improve her balance and help develop the strength needed for writing.

4. Allow your child to play with games, puzzles and toys with small pieces, such as blocks and pegs. These types of creative activities improve motor skills, balance, precision, strength and hand-eye coordination.

References

• AbilityPath.org; Toolkit: Developing Your Child's Pre-Writing Skills; Cassy Christianson
• Parents-and-Kids.com: How Can Parents Help Your Young Child to Build Pre-Writing Skills