3-D Letter Learning

Pre-schoolers and young school-aged children love to touch what they are learning about. In learning ABC's and 123's, holding a pencil can get really tiresome and boring after a short time. You may find that your child loses interest quickly as you are trying to teach him or her how to write his or her name or to recognize letters of the alphabet. Here are a couple of ideas for parents to liven up the same old routine of rote alphabet-learning.

Play-Doh-You can make Play-Doh hamburgers and cookies, so why can't you make a Play-Doh alphabet? Play-Doh is a pliable, fun, squishy way for you child to practice forming letters and numbers. The letters can be made to any size the child is comfortable making, instead of having to be squeezed into the small space alotted in a handwriting tablet. Mistakes are easily corrected, and it is fun to do so, instead of having to erase and rewrite. Different colors for different letters or numbers make things even more interesting!

Wikki-Stix-These wax-covered pieces of yarn can be folded and bent into any shape a child wishes. The texture is unusual and engages children as they form letters, shapes, numbers, etc. Wikki Stix are available in several colors like Play-Doh. Wikki Stix can be reused over and over again, and they are non-toxic. They are widely used in schools and classrooms.

As your child is experimenting with these two tools to form shapes, numbers, and letters, have him or her trace the letters made with a finger. This reinforces the shape of the object being formed. A colorful, hand-made letter "B" is more easily remembered than a stagnant magnetic letter on the refrigerator, and the kinesthetic action of tracing the letter will also enhance your child's ability to recall it later. Be creative as you use Play-Doh and Wikki Stix in the education of your child. Maybe a whole jungle of dinosaurs will soon appear on your kitchen table!