Writing Practice

Chalkboard Placemats

I have been patiently waiting to write about these mats ever since I saw them 2 weeks ago on the pioneer woman’s site. I contacted Leslie who has a super cute blog and asked if I could help spread the word about these awesome placemats because well, they are awesome! I mean, what better way for your little one to practice writing their name, family members names, practice sounding out the names of the menu items, draw the shapes or other observations they see, etc.

If you are grossed out by chalk at the dinner table, SET a kid’s table and let the adults finish enjoying their food and the kids can retreat to the kid’s table to develop their fine motor skills and enjoy their creativity. I love the thought of turning the dinner table into a learning table. The possibilities are endless really. Order them HERE!!!

(Pictures from the bafriend site)

This one says it all!

Can you picture it yet?

April 27, 2011 by Jessica | 0 comments

Freehand Drawing

One of my favorite things when I was a little girl was to look at an object while attempting to draw it. My art teacher said to pretend that an ant was crawling along the outside of the object and as it crawled my pencil should move with it. This was a great visual for me and it helped me to replicate objects the best that I could.

My goal today is an open-ended “writing” activity, okay okay so it is actually a drawing activity, BUT don’t forget that drawing builds fine motor skills which makes for efficient writers!

First, you are going to assemble your sketchbook… That’s right, make a custom sketchbook that is even more meaningful to your little one because ya’ll made it together. Grab two stacks of computer paper (as thick or thin as you’d like), hole-punch the top of both stacks, slip ribbon (yarn or whatever you have) through them, tie double-knots and then make curls or bows. Why two stacks?… Because it means so much to your little one to do activities TOGETHER, and you are modeling “how to” draw. Write your name on your cover and your little one’s name on theirs (or let them do it if he/she can).

I aligned the 3 hole-punch so that only two holes would be punched in the center of my stack of paper.

I then tied ribbon into a tight double knot, and held the bottom of the ribbon between my thumb and the scissors and pulled out toward the end to make the curls.

Next, ask your little artist to pick something around the house (or in the backyard) to draw, and you will BOTH draw in your own book. Talk about it: what shapes you see, what part you are going to draw first, if it has a word on it (like Tonka) what letters you are going to write on the Truck and where.

This can be such an open-ended experience where your child’s creativity and imagination has the chance to shine.

April 14, 2011 by Jessica | 0 comments

Meaningful Word Cards

Going through old pictures reminds me of so many activities I love. Not every idea has to be an original, especially since there are so many great activities out there. But I still don’t think anyone should waste their time searching the world-wide web for activities to maximize your time with your child, when searching the web usually minimizes your valuable time. One thing that I have seen in just about every classroom that I think would be beneficial at home is a little list of seasonal or themed words. So, if your little one is really into colors then you might make a “color words” poster/book. So here is ONE way to help them transition into a new season (Spring):

1. First, Check out some Books from the Children’s section at the Library on Spring like: (Read about a list of books HERE) and talk about things outside that change as the weather starts to warm up (time to plant flowers, birds are flying all about, a lot of pretty and windy days for kite-flying, etc.)

2. Use the Shared Writing technique to write down some of the Spring Words your child comes up with “What are some words that make you think of Spring time?” *If you want to use sentence strips you can buy them online or even at Dollar Tree.

3. Have your child decorate the word cards – drawing a picture that describes the word!

4. Display these words in a fun and meaningful way.

March 22, 2011 by Jessica | 0 comments

Spring Forward

The weather is warming up and it is time to get outside with your kiddos!

Definitely allow lots of time for free play, running around outside and playing in the dirt a bit, but today I want to remind you about a GREAT outdoor writing activity. Of course, chalking is a great writing activity, but one that I love equally as much is painting with water.

All you need is a Tupperware (bucket or even an old empty paint can) and a paintbrush!

Kids love to write and watch it disappear. It is also a mini science lesson because they are learning about evaporation! Kids watch the pavement absorb the water and then the heat dry it up.

Talk to your kids during the experiment “What is happening to the letter you wrote?” “Why do you think it is disappearing?”, model different letters and words and see if your child can paint what you paint. Get wild…paint with the water on the brick of your house and remind them that painting with water is the ONLY time they can do this.

This is a great family fun writing activity to enjoy the outdoors 🙂

March 14, 2011 by Jessica | 0 comments

“Writing” About Feelings

What do you do when you are overwhelmed with emotion?

I tend to journal a prayer or call a close friend.

Kids definitely get overwhelmed with emotions at times. In fact, your child could be kicking and screaming for your attention right now as you read this post!

The teacher that I am believes that every moment could be a teaching moment and maybe you can turn this lack of communication into a writing activity that enables your child to express their feelings in another way. Besides, writing doesn’t begin with formation and technique, it begins with scribbles and pictures!

So get out a notebook, a piece of paper, an easel, or a sketchbook and after appropriately dealing with behavior (I’m a fan of super-nanny’s technique myself), allow your little one to express his/her emotions in a constructive way.

Afterwards, write on the back what your little one said in verbatim and the date because it is like keeping a diary or keepsake book.

Use this activity when your child is overwhelmed with excitement as well; you want your little one to express the highs of his/her day too!

Before you do this activity, another fun incorporation is to read a book on feelings to them so they start to have a bird’s eye view of their emotions. I love the book Yesterday I Had The Blues by Jeron Ashford Frame so maybe you can stop by the Library when your running errands today!