Play to Learn: 15 Ways to Encourage Letter Formation & Handwriting Practice

My preschooler will be a kindergartener in just a few months!

(This is causing serious pangs to my mommy heart!)

I want to make sure she is well prepared,

with a solid foundation on which to build, grow & learn.

I have been spending some time reviewing the alphabet with her -

focusing on letter identification (upper & lower case recognition), 

letter formation (handwriting) & 

phonetic awareness of letter sounds.

There are so many ways you can make this fun for kids 

by incorporating fun materials, 

making it hands-on and/or active (kids love to move & get physical!)

or just turning it into a game (I find kids learn so much through play!)

I have been meaning to share some of the ways I explore the alphabet with my girls with you.

Today, I am going to share some fun ways to teach 

& encourage proper letter formation!

15 Ways to Encourage 

Letter Formation & 

Handwriting Practice

1. Shaving Cream Writing

2. Salt or Sugar Writing

3. Paint in a Ziploc Baggie

4. Tactile Letter Formation -

use things like cotton balls, macaroni, stickers, beads, beans & more

5. Wikki Stix Letter Formation

you can also use pipe cleaners, cooked spaghetti

6. Craft Stick Letter Formation

This doesn't work for all letters but it's fun to do with the ones that work.

7. Foam Letter Puzzles

cut basic foam shapes that correspond to block letters

and they can be used to make the alphabet

8. Letter Puzzles

color & cut block letters into puzzle pieces

9. Playdough Letters

10. Whiteboard Letter Writing

11. Water Writing on Chalkboard

12. Fingerprint Letter Writing

13.  Dot Marker Letters

14.  Cookie Cutter Letter Stamping

15. Formal Paper & Pencil Practice

to make it more exciting I let them use gel pens, 

markers, sharpies, colored pencils, smencils, etc.

Have fun practicing writing those letters!

Bern