Here at My Pre-K Box we're all about using PLAY to help your child learn! Research shows that your preschooler learns best through hands-on, FUN, playful learning. We use current research and our educational expertise to deliver your child the best preschool education to your home every month! My Pre-K Box is an educational subscription box for preschoolers ages 3-5! We give you everything you need to laugh, create, play and learn together!
My Pre-K Box: No Prep Learning Packs for Kids!
Do you love the ideas shared here, but find yourself spending more time watching fun activities with your preschooler instead of actually doing the activities with your preschooler? We haven't developed preparatory learning packages for a busy parent like you! With my Pre-K Box, we send your toddler a learning package with a fresh new theme every month! The pack is packed with fun, hands-on and game-based learning that preschoolers love! You'll love how fun and easy it is!
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There's no sweeter sound for your child than his name, except perhaps when his name is followed by a command like "It's time for a nap" or "It's time to clean up." Your child's name is exciting and personal, making name recognition and learning to write the name important first steps in literacy!
When is your child ready to write his name?
Before a child can attempt to write his name, his fine and gross motor skills must be developed. Gross motor skills allow children to do things that use the large muscles of the trunk, arms, and legs to complete full-body movements. Think of climbing, jumping or throwing a ball. As a child's gross motor skills improve through play and daily activities, their fine motor skills also begin to strengthen. It is the smaller movements that require more precision and dexterity, such as drawing, building with Lego and buttoning a jacket. You'll know your child is ready to learn to write his or her name once fine motor skills are clear.
From what age should a child be able to write his name?
There is no set age at which a child should be able to write his or her name with confidence. But telling a parent not to worry about it would be futile – worrying is what we do best! Between the ages of 2 and 4, scribbles and lines that unintentionally mimic letters may appear in your child's drawings. They may even try to write letters, names and words that they are used to seeing, such as their name, brand of cereal or a character from a favorite book. However, these will most likely still look like scribbles.
Around the age of 4 (sometimes earlier, sometimes later), most children show that they have the interest and fine motor skills necessary to learn to write their names.
Call teaching no-no!
It's normal to want your child to excel academically and reach certain milestones, but at this age, play is still the most powerful learning tool. Too often, parents resort to the “practice, practice, practice” mentality with worksheets they remember from grade school, but this will frustrate both you and your child in the long run. Keep it light and fun by incorporating brand awareness and writing into games and crafts.
Parents may also be tempted to ask a child to write his name before fine motor skills have been developed. Early isn't always better. If your child isn't showing clear fine motor skills yet, switch gears and work on them. Drawing with sidewalk chalk and stringing beads are fun and effective ways to flex those muscles.
Tips to help your child write letters
Start by capitalizing the full name. This will be much easier for your little one to master as he will need simpler lines.
Demonstrate the correct way to form letters using simple instructions. For example, you start writing a letter at the top and move to the bottom.
Remember that this is commonthat letters are primarily reversed or out of order. Carefully model the correct formation while continuing to encourage their progress.
How can I keep them focused on practicing?
Keep it fun! Drawing letters on a piece of paper can only hold your child's interest for a few moments at most. Integrating learning into play provides the foundation they need to understand the letters that make up their names and ultimately write them. As with any new skill, repetition is essential, but it shouldn't be boring. If your child enjoys the activity, they will remember the letters they played with better.
How to teach your child to write his name
There are 3 key steps to helping your child learn to write their name and plenty of creative ways to practice. Use the seven activities below as a starting point for your child's writing journey.
Trin 1: Name recognition
Before your child can physically write his name, he must be able to identify it correctly. Help your child recognize the written name with these fun activities!
Break the eggIt's time to break out the plastic eggs normally reserved for Easter baskets. This interactive game works on your child's fine motor skills and improves name recognition. Supplies needed:
Break the egg Instructions:
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Find your name! Floor gameThis gets your child moving and helps him, among other things, learn to recognize his name. Supplies needed:
Find your name! Playing instructions on the floor:
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Guy on... Here is our welcome gift! In addition to playful name writing activities, you can also try some crafts! Checking outto incorporate name writing into fun crafts!Then view the blog post about this printable template, ofget your copy nowwhile it's free! |
Trin2: Spelling
Once your child can recognize his name, the next step is to identify the individual letters and their order. By putting the letters together in the correct order, your child will learn to spell the name!
Photo name puzzleCreate a personalized puzzle with a photo of your child so he or she can identify the correct order of the name. Supplies needed:
Picture Name Puzzle Instructions:
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Names of flower potsTry this simple and cute way to turn your child's name into a scavenger hunt. Supplies needed:
Flowerpot Name Guide:
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Magnet name game Supplies needed:
Magnet Name Directions:
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Before you go... Here's another free copy! Your little firefighter will definitely be happy! It's a craft and activity all in one, with a name writing activity integrated into the craft!Read more about it here,ofTo retrieveget a copy now! |
Trin3: Writes their name
It's time for the big finale: teach your child to write his name! But don't reach for the tracing paper just yet; this step should also be fun and full of play opportunities.
All colors in one name |
Gel navneposeThis is a sensory activity that doubles as a writing exercise. Your child will love helping create this too! Supplies needed:
Instructions for use for the gel name sachet:
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Learning through play
Above all, remember that helping your child write their name should be FUN and fun! When we like something, we want to do it more often! The fond memories of playing with Mom will teach your child that learning is FUN, which is a crucial part of preparing for school!
Play-based activities in My Pre-K Boxes
If your little one enjoyed these activities, he will definitely love all the play-based activities and gamesMinus Pre-K box! Our boxes are filled with fun crafts and lots of exciting activities! Each month offers a new theme that many children look forward to. You can get one by subscribing to My Pre-K Box - the best subscription box for preschoolers! Our hands-on learning resources are play-based and focused on math and literacy. It also includes sensory play, fun themed crafts and an adult guide.
The games and activities in My Pre-K Boxes are made with love and are guaranteed to be of top quality. It is also child and adult friendly, very practical and reusable! If your child has siblings, it can be shared and used again and again! We also offer duplicates of the crafts as these are usually not recyclable. You can get a duplicate for his/her brother or sister for just $3.25 a month! Craft lovers can also subscribe to our Craft Lovers Upgrade, which offers more craft fun and two additional craft activities for just $4.25 each. child.
With all the fun and exciting activities in My Pre-K Box, your child won't even notice he's learning! And as parents, we didn't have to worry about the hassle of researching, planning, and implementing the activities! We can simply guide them and watch them learn in the comfort of our homeMinus Pre-K box!
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Let's connect!
We love, love, love seeing your little ones in action! Post your photos to your social media account and use the hashtag#myprekboxso we can see which name learning activity you are doing! And don't forget to follow us furtherFacebookInInstagramfor more fun and easy activities you can do at home with your preschooler!
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My Pre-K Box is the best subscription box for children aged 3-5 years! Everything you need to play, create, discover, Learn, laugh and enjoy! register now |