How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Posted: October 9, 2012 | Author: Lori | Filed under: Fine Motor Skills, Language & Reading, Working Mom | Tags: fine motor skills, language, reading, writing |1 Comment »

Day 9 – Practice forming letters

Why, practice, practice, practice, of course! …groan. I know. Very old joke.

But to gain motor control, you have to practice as well. Now this doesn’t mean you have to draw and write with a pencil, but there comes a time when your child is super interested in writing (or mimicking writing), and you really need to go with it.

Of course, this is especially true if you child is 4 or over, and it is prime time for reading and writing practice to kick into high gear!

…Welcome to Day 9 of 31 Days of Reading Rewards!

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For this reading activity, we will be practicing our fine motor skills, and subconsciously practicing our letter recognition.

You will need a few children’s books – choose books that have a simple font. And though it’s not necessary, your best bet is to find fonts that don’t have tails (serifs).

You will also need lined paper, and something to write with – pencils, pens, colored pencils, or markers.

Gather these items at the table and get your child situated with you at the table. For encouragement, you might like to do some “homework”, too!

Now set up your student with the tools, explaining that he is to “write” his own book – copying the words from the book before him. He or she does NOT need to know how to read at all. The not-so-simple act of copying is the learning activity.

And while challenging at first, the rewards are worth it!

Additional tip: Colored Pencils are GREAT for older kids doing their homework! For example, have the kids practice their spelling words with them – every word in a different color! Or maybe every letter “a” in a different color! They can use their imagination. After all, colored pencils make everything look fun and fancy!