Cookie Cutters. Alphabet. Play-Doh.
Making Early Literacy Fun!
An interactive and sensory-appealing way is Alphabet Play-Doh. Play-Doh allows children the creative freedom of exploring things they can model while also appealing to their sensory needs of using their hands to touch and move the Play-Doh as they desire. Using alphabet cookie cutters is a great way to help children with recognizing their letters.
As they use the cookie cutters you can point out what they are doing or what letters they are using, for example, "Look, you have chosen the letter 'Z'." You can also ask them what word may start with the letter they have chosen, for instance, 'D' for dog. Another way to make this activity fun while also promoting spelling is instructing them to pick the first letter of their names such as an 'A' for Alice.
To help with their practice of writing, pencils could be incredibly beneficial. Once the children have used their alphabet cookie cutters, they can use pencils to trace the letters they have made in the Play-Doh, which will provide them with practice holding pencils and writing. While they are doing this, you can encourage the children to read out the letter they are tracing in the Play-Doh.
Alphabet Play-Doh is a great way to encourage conversation as you discuss letters the children choose to press into the Play-Doh. It can also lay the foundation for reading and writing success as they begin recognizing letters, what words those letters begin with and even tracing their letters with pencils or Play-Doh knives.
If Play-Doh is something not very accessible in your household, there are recipes available to make your own Play-Doh at home. One of these recipes is available below:
Make Your Own Play-Doh:
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup baking soda
- 3/4 cup water
- Optional
- Food coloring
- Essential oils to scent
Photo Credit: https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/
Recipe Credit: https://makeandtakes.com/3-ingredient-play-dough#:~:text=1%2F2%20cup%20cornstarch,are%20fun%20to%20add%20in
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