Name Writing Activities for Kindergarten

Writing her name is a skill that each kindergarten student will perfect.

During the kindergarten year, students perfect the name writing process. Using challenging and creative activities, each student will learn the hand, wrist and arm movements associated with constructing the letters in his name. Introducing shaving cream, play sand, non-traditional letter forms and manipulative tools to devise letters in his name will entertain and educate each kindergarten student while performing a sometimes tedious task.

Creamy Capitals and Lathery Lowercase

Spray a small amount of shaving cream onto each kindergarten student's work area and allow her to play with it for a few minutes. Once each student has spread the cleansing agent across the desk or table, instruct her to, using only her index finger, spell her name in the foam. Wipe the name away and try again. For beginning writers, display each child's name at the top of his work surface to replicate. A less messy alternative is to use a disposable table cloth or paper plate to place the shaving cream on.

Sandy Spelling

Issue each student a paper plate with high edges and a pencil. Fill the plate with approximately one cup of play sand. Instruct each student to spell his name in the sand with the writing tool, ensuring proper finger position on the pencil. Use a rubber pencil grip for beginning writers. Shake the plate very lightly to erase and begin again.

Squiggly Script

Hand each student a piece of construction paper and colored pencils or markers. Encourage each pupil to spell his name in small squiggly, bubble or jagged letters. Inspire the kids to be creative and make up a style of handwriting to present to the class on the chalkboard or white board. The student will feel pride and success when using an imaginative technique to write her name.

Pattern Play

Combine a mathematical lesson with handwriting practice when students use colored beads or mathematical counters to spell kindergarten names. Each student will arrange the colorful tools in a pattern by color in the shape of letters of his name opposed to a more traditional pattern line. Challenge the children by encouraging each to devise a pattern with the shape of the counter or bead and the color of the bead taken into consideration.

References

• Elementary Teacher Resources.com: Writing in Shaving Cream
• Teacher Quick Source: Finger Writing