40 ways to Learn Pre-Writing Strokes and Letters/Numbers Without Holding a Pencil

  1. Use magnetic letters/numbers to match, free play with, build name, sort, sequence in order.
  2. Use alphabet/number cards to sequence, match, sort
  3. Use alphabet/number puzzles
  4. Build pre-writing strokes and shapes with Wikki Stix, playdough, pretzels, blocks, pipe cleaners, popsickle sticks, cereal, etc. Can build on top on stroke/shape model or copy
  5. Use letter/number stamps – stamp in sequence, in boxes, free stamping, stamping on matching letter/number
  6. Stamping on pre-writing strokes or shapes, curved lines, numbers
  7. Glue materials such as beans, pasta, cotton balls, mini marshmallows, tissue paper wadded up, etc. on lines, curves and shapes, numbers
  8. Play alphabet bingo
  9. Air draw lines, curves, shapes, easy upper case, circles, crosses, diagonals, etc.

10. Simple computer games with letters/numbers

11. Sort/match pre-writing strokes and letters/numbers

12. Draw straight, curvy “roads” on large paper on floor, chalkboard

for children to drive a small car on (put big green star or dot

for starting point).

13. Put tactile pre-writing strokes or easy letters around room for

children to run fingers over, visually see and explore

14. Place stickers on pre-writing strokes or easy letters/numbers

with cues for starting points.

15. Draw line, shape or letter in clay – child pushes small pegs or

other objects into it.

DRAW STROKES, SHAPES, LETTERS/NUMBERS WITH FINGERS:

16. in cornmeal

17. in sand

18. in pudding

19. in foam soap

20. in shaving cream

21. in finger paint

22. in lotion

23. in sugar or salt on black construction paper

24. in cornstarch/water mix

PUT COLORED OR MASKING TAPE ON FLOOR OF LINES, SHAPES, LETTERS, NUMBERS:

25. Drive car over (put starting point)

26. Walk on

27. Jump on

28. Follow shape with small paint roller or brush (paint free)

29. Place blocks or other materials on

ART:

30. Make stroke, shape, letter or numbers cards by squeezing

colored glue on model; sprinkling sand, glitter, etc. on model

31. Paint or stamp letters/numbers/shapes from pre-cut dyes with

white construction paper.

32.Sponge paint letters

TRACING:

33. Trace over chalk strokes, shapes, letters, numbers with very

small sponges on chalkboard or cement

34. Finger trace over textured lines

35. Finger trace over large strokes, shapes, letters, numbers on dry

erase board (cue for starting point).

36. Use pretzel or popsickle stick to trace

37. Fish for strokes, shapes, letters, numbers with magnet and

paperclips – show them card with model to match

38. Hide forms made into lines, circle, squares, triangles and simple

letters in sand, rice, beans, etc. for children to match and find.

39. Make an ABC book by finding the letter in a group and glueing in

Book.

40. Sign in circle time with a designated letter by tracing over it

with correct directionality with finger.