Tuesday, February 15

Rainbow Letters



My daughter's interest in letters continues to develop. They often are found in groupings on her artwork and pretty much any time she uses a crayon. Some of it is her attempt to write her name (minus a few letters, it's so long!) other times it her attempt to write words or express meaning.



I've introduced letters to her using sandpaper letters (Montessori style) and finger writing in sand or cornstarch as well as small pieces of chalk on the chalkboard. Many of the letters she has mastered but not all- some of them appearing reversed or partially made. We used the idea of Rainbow Letters to reinforce the muscular memory needed to write the letters correctly.




I taped the corners of the paper to the table. We chose crayon rocks in rainbow colors. The crayon rocks or alternatively small pieces of crayon or chalk are helpful in aiding a child prepare the hand and fingers for a correct pencil grasp. Small pieces naturally encourage this correct grasp. My daughter watched while I wrote the letter lightly in pencil. She then traced the letter with her "working fingers" (the ones used for grasping a pencil and just like when we write in sand) and carefully making sure to trace with the same movements.



We said the sound as she made the movements (this method is used in Montessori so that the child gets a multi-sensorial: visual, muscular, auditory and tactile impression from the activity).



Because the letters were rainbow, each letter was created 7 times. This repetition will not only help her brain to recall the letter later, but familiarizes her muscles with the movements to be more automatic.





The letters look so pretty in their rainbow colors. The use of the different colors and large letter shape was very appealing to my daughter. It was a fun way to practice the letters she has an interest in writing.

8 comments:

Jessie, The Education Of Ours said...

Very pretty! Nice idea for repetition!

Anonymous said...

I like this idea. Good job to her!!

Joyful Learner said...

Pretty! Now, why didn't I think of that?

Miri said...

I LOVE this variation of the sandpaper letters. A truly following the child. They are so blessed to have such a creative attentive mother.
And thank you very much for you reply. I appreciate it!

Isil Simsek said...

I love this idea.My 4 year old shows great interest in letters and this looks like something she will love.thanks for sharing.

The girl who painted trees said...

We used to do something similar as an art project on color. They would trace the outline of their name in cool colors or warm colors. My daughter has trouble with her s; this would help her:)

Amy said...

I'm sure my daughter would like writing her name that way, we'll have to try it. She knows about half the letters so I'm sure it would help, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

love it all...was in US for a few years. Planning to start a summer camp for toddlers and have found all your ideas very simple, effective and easy to do...thank you