Begin prewriting with your preschooler with this colorful activity!
Learning the lines and curves of letters is just as noteworthy as writing the letters themselves!
Here, we practice moving left to right using our favorite counting bears that began with a simple play prompt:
Can you bring the bears home?
The rest was up to my preschooler as I watched him practice some essential prewriting skills!
RELATED: Simple ideas are at your fingertips with our activity cards to keep at home.
Why is prewriting important?
During the prewriting stage, children are experimenting with forming lines and curves.
We notice prewriting come alive:
When young children write a story or note on paper.
When young children form lines as they draw.
When young children play games that track eyes left to right.
When young children play games that move left to right.
When young children move their bodies in zig zags, lines, curves.
The first time we set up Bring the Bears Home, I had everything ready.
The next time, my three-year-old wanted in on the setup!
This was great. I like to call these a two for one Breakfast Invitation special!
First, he began to create the bear’s path using his Do-A-Dot Art Markers.
Next, he brought the bears home following the sequence of colors that he created.
If I was doing this with my four-year-old, I would have had him focus on also creating a pattern.
But it is important to gauge what your children are ready for. I knew that my three-year-old could use some practice holding the marker steady placing one dot at a time on the paper roll.
Take the time to think about where your child is and do not feel the need to rush skills.
Slow and steady, one step at a time.
Keep in mind we have until Kindergarten to master key skills, so our job now is to expose preschoolers to concepts they will continue to hear come school age.
Simple Supply List:
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What’s the big idea?
Hand-eye coordination
Fine motor grip
Left to right progression
Imaginary play once complete (or maybe 1/2 way in)
Steady hand
Color recognition
By Kindergarten, children will be asked to follow words from left to right, top to bottom, and page by page. This is a great way to practice this now with your preschoolers!
Now, you are ready to get started!
Use this idea for your next Breakfast Invitation or dinner prep idea!
And if you love this, you will also love Busy Toddler’s Animal Parade.
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