Handwriting practice. What do those two words make you think of? For older children, we may think of workbooks and worksheets. But preschoolers need a much more varied approach. Did you know that handwriting practice for preschoolers can be fun? If you try some of these ideas, your little ones might just beg for it!
When teaching preschoolers to write the alphabet, it’s so important to start simple. I like to begin with a simple outline of the letter. My boys like to fill in the outline with small objects.
It’s a bonus when you find objects that begin with the letter you’re learning! My Five filled the M with dry macaroni.
My Three filled his M with these colorful power magnets (worth every penny!).
My Three likes to do these dot sticker pages that I make for him. See my entire collection here.
After that basic introduction to a letter’s shape, my boys create the letter out of objects we find in the house. My Five easily made an M with markers. This was a challenge for my Three, who needed a lot of help.
My Five used these magnet wands to create a very wide M. (The magnets are from our favorite magnet kit.)
Next, we create the letter with small objects and no frame. Of course I had to buy a bag of mini-marshmallows. This was easily the favorite activity! (You could use M & M’s, too, but I have no self-control around that candy.)
Before we move to pencil and paper, I like to have my boys write the letter with their finger. We pulled out the mustard!
For many months, this was the only sort of handwriting page my Five did (when he was my Four). My boys actually ask for these! As my older boy’s pencil grip improved, and he showed interest, I moved on to the pages you see below. To get a copy of my “Letter M’s of all sizes,” visit this page.
I created these pages to give my Five a lot of support as he writes the alphabet. Just two rows of large letters per page. For the first time, my Three asked to do this page as well. He did great and was so proud of himself! Get your copy here.
These worksheets are for a preschooler who is almost ready for those handwriting workbooks – but not quite. The page begins with a lot of support, gradually giving less until the last line, when kids are given just a starting dot. Get yours here.
Want more creative ideas for writing the alphabet? Click on the image below!
And check out my big collection of fun learning ideas (and free printables!) for letter M:
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Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle
Thanks, Anna. These are all such great ideas. I’m going to have to give them a try. My kindergartener still struggles with his letters despite a lot of practice, so maybe one of these activities would help him focus on the shapes better.
Anna Geiger
Thanks for checking it out, Bethany! We love making letters in different ways. Loved your accidental natural birth story — I wish I could have one that fast!!
Dinah
I love the Mm Mustard idea:) Thanks for sharing!
Anna Geiger
Yes, I was proud of that little brainstorm 🙂 I wish I could think of one of those for every letter! Thanks for stopping by, Dinah!
Ruth
Thanks Anna! As always, I am amazed at the time you spend on the quality freebies. I also love to suggest making really big letters with paint- even using footprints to make a really big M. Sometimes it seems like people get hung up on making them small when they don’t need to rush into that.
Anna Geiger
I like that idea, Ruth – I will file it away! Thanks!
jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa
I like all of the tactile experiences! Perfect for preschoolers!
Anna Geiger
Thank you, Jeannine!
Gabriela
Dear Anna, Thanks a lot for al these wonderful ideas. I am a mom and a teacher. Always on the look out to give my daughters and students the best. I found out technology the best resource in life ever!! And it is much much better when we share knowledge. Thanks thanks soo many thanks
Gaby
Anna Geiger
You’re so welcome, Gaby – I’m so glad you visited! What grade do you teach?
Rachel | Racheous
Such fun ideas! Kids learn by doing, so activities like this are great for this age group. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Anna Geiger
Thank you, Rachel!
jackie
What a fun way to get them practicing, Anna! I love that your exercises are so tactile and visual!
Anna Geiger
Thanks, Jackie! As we move through the alphabet I’m getting better at thinking up new ways. M was an easy one 🙂
Jackie@My Little Bookcase
Great ideas. Pinning 🙂
Anna Geiger
Thanks so much for the pin, Jackie!
Jill
These are some great tactile, hands-on learning activities for learning and reinforcing the letter M. Thank you for sharing and for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop.
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Jill!
Beth
Lots of great ideas for practicing the letter M! I love that you practiced in Mustard !
Thanks for linking up to TGIF! I always enjoy seeing what creative things you’ve come up with =)
Beth
Anna Geiger
I was actually proud of the mustard idea myself 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Beth!
Molly
Where do you get the stickers in one color like that? I have looked everywhere for just solid colored ones and the only ones I can find are the garage sale ones that only come in hot pink, green and yellow!
Such fun ideas!
Anna Geiger
Hi Molly! I got mine in one color online when I was teaching. I don’t remember for sure, but I think I ordered them here from Avery. Here’s a sample: http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Labels/Identification-Labels/Print-or-Write-Round-Color-Coding-Labels_05462.htm?N=0&Ns=&refchannel=c042fd03ab30a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD You can also get a pack of four different colors on a single sheet here (affiliate link): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BMBU9C?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000BMBU9C&linkCode=xm2&tag=themeamom0e-20
Yocheved
I’ve been teaching for many years and recently discovered your website. It is awesome!
Although I’m familiar with loads of books, I see that you keep up with the new ones that come out. I love your tactile approach and my students do too.
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas. They are exceptional!!!
Anna Geiger
Thank you so much, Yocheved!
Karen
This seems like a silly question, but where did you get the big “M” printout that your kiddos filled in with magnets and things? Thanks!
Anna Geiger
After I wrote this post I created a set of giant block letters for every letter. 🙂 You can get them here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/printable-block-letters-150-ways-fill/