Toddler Writing Activities
Chances are, your toddler began developing for her writing life long before she started scribbling and coloring. At some point during her second year, your child probably started playing with small toys, eating with a spoon and handling materials, such as sand or dirt. Such activities gradually increased her hand strength and dexterity, and thus prepared her for future writing activities. Now that she is old enough to begin holding and controlling a pencil, crayon or marker, she has likely developed the necessary hand strength to ensure a proper grip on her writing tools.
Other People Are Reading
-
Tactile Writing
-
Fill a large aluminum pan or plastic tray with sand, rice or sugar and encourage your child to scribble, draw and write with her fingers. Prepare a thick paste from cornstarch and water and spread on a tray. Provide him with small sticks, toothpicks, plastic spoons and forks, and explain that these are his writing utensils. Encourage him to write by dragging the items through the material to make lines and squiggles. For a tastier activity, consider using pudding, whipped cream, frosting, applesauce or soft ice cream.
Stencils
-
Once your toddler demonstrates her ability to comfortably control a pencil, crayon or marker, purchase or make stencils for her to trace. Instruct your child to hold the edge of a stencil firmly with her non-dominant hand and to push out firmly against the inner edge of the stencil as she traces around it. Choose stencils that are appealing or instructive such as animal shapes or alphabet letters. Show her that writing can be purposeful. Help her use alphabet stencils to prepare a name plaque for her bedroom door.
-
Easels and Other Verical Surfaces
-
Attach large pieces of paper to a door or wall or set up an easel for your child. Occupational therapists at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia suggest children use vertical surfaces when they draw, paint and write because doing so contributes to arm, hand and finger strength. Draw vertical lines on the paper and instruct your child to trace over your lines. After he traces your lines several times, encourage him to draw his own line alongside yours. He can use a paint brush and paint, marker, crayon or large pencil. Repeat the same exercise with horizontal lines so he gains experience side to side as well up and down. Arrange dots on a clean sheet of paper and instruct your child to connect the dots, using long even strokes.
Magnetic Writing Boards
-
Purchase a magnetic writing board for your child to use, and reduce mess and paper waste as a result. Your child can practice drawing lines, squiggles and circles and then easily erase her work and begin again. Magnetic toys are portable, so your child can bring hers with her in the car or on a plane. Write brief notes to your child on the magnetic board and encourage her to use her own meaningful markings to "write" back.
Imitation
-
Give your toddler his own small notebook to write in whenever he sees you working or older children preparing their homework assignments. Offer him a variety of pens, markers, crayons and pencils and teach him the advantages and disadvantages of each type of writing instrument. Play along with him and contribute to his sense of competence and importance as he imitates older writers. Show that you approve of his work by signing, stamping or putting a sticker on his "homework" page when he completes an assignment.
-
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
