Need ideas to teach kindergarten children how to write?

Question

How do you get children who have never been to any school write? How do you teach them how to write their name,letters,numbers,etc. I need new ideas because what I'm doing is not working this year!

Answer 1

I'm a Montessori teacher and this is roughly the thing I do:
First, the children learn to trace a sandpaper letter (you can cut out a large letter from sandpaper and glue it on to a smooth surface--cardboard, wood, etc) so they learn how the letter feels. This is also a great way to make sure the child can identify a letter--ask, show me "a," show me "f."
Step two is for the children to trace a letter on chalkboards--as always, use big letters.
Once they can confidently trace the letter on the boards, then they can trace it on paper. Again, start with large letters and make them smaller over time.

I teach them their numbers in exactly the same way.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You could try filling a shallow tray with sand and use a stick to draw letters, a chalk board or a wipe clean white board. Make a letter box and find lots of things beginning with the letter of the day and finally write it. I would be very cross with the nursery though, if you are in the UK the Early Years foundation frowns on work sheets and forcing children to write a certain way, indeed they should not be writing at all really. I had a very similar situation with my now 6 1/2 year old. He would not write anything except for his name at nearly 5, he was capable but did not want to, the nursery teachers really upset him and by his 5th birthday he refused to even pick up a pencil. It has taken nearly two years at a fantastic infant school to rectify this. He is by far the brightest child in his class, his maths is at least 3 years ahead of his chronological age and his vocabulary is excellent. his writing is untidy and by far the least favourite of subjects but it will come gradually. Don't let these teachers put your child off, be firm with them and ask them not to force the situation. If your daughter doesn't want to write at home either then let it be. Do things she enjoys instead. You know your child I'm sure she is bright - maybe the worksheets are beneath her!! It will all come together when she is ready. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'd start with one letter at a time. Sometimes you can find letters made out of giraffes, etc., which is more fun. A big bold letter, with lots of color. You could draw those, copy them and have them color them in while singing the letter "A is for Apple, and I'm going to color the A", etc. Be sure you go over the pronounciation of each letter, too.

Answer 4

Start out with making sure the child is holding his pencil correctly- this will make a huge difference in the future! It is best to start out with tracing lines, circles, and simple shapes. Once they have mastered that, they should practice tracing letters and numbers on a daily basis. They they can move on to copying them- perhaps you would write one letter, then they copy it right next to what you wrote. From there, it's just practice and repetition!

Answer 5

Make tracing sheets on the computer for each child with his/her name. Laminate sentence strips with their names on them and let them trace their names with dry-erase markers. Have lots of samples of print in the room, posters, magazines, books, signs, labels etc. When you introduce a letter, have them use their finger to trace the letter in the air. Squirt shaving cream on the table and encourage them to use a finger to write their name in the shaving cream, or use finger paint on paper for the same thing. Have different writing tools available for them: chalk, markers, pencils, pens, crayons, etc. Model writing for them constantly. Use a big sheet of paper and encourage them to help you write a short story or the daily news: you can start with the weather or the day of the week. After you have done the writing for a week or so, ask who can make the T for you? That should get them started.

Answer 6

Do they need to develop readiness skills such as up, down, left, right? Do they need eye-hand coordination practice making circles and straight lines. Or do they just need to practice and practice. Sometimes writing on the dry-erase board, or in sand or with a special pencil may peek their interest.

Answer 7

Try traceable letters and sheets, there's a font that even let's you type out your own traceables sheets.

Songs are always good, too! Good luck!