Mary wants to work alongside her brothers while they are doing their lessons but she is easily frustrated with a pencil and paper, wanting to be able to write letters on the first attempt. Three is a time when fine motor skills are becoming more developed but often not as fast as some children desire. I really like Montessori type materials for teaching writing. I have some that are traditional materials and some that are homemade. Here is something that I recently put together to help Mary with her writing skills.
I purchased this shadow box from a local craft store. It is approximately 8" x 10" and about 2" deep. I also purchased a small bag of craft sand. Mary has been using it daily to learn to write her letters.
(How I feel about my readers :) )
Here is Mary tracing the letters in the sand. Pardon the blurry photos but she really doesn't sit still for very long...
After she is done, she levels the sand and starts again.
We first use traditional sandpaper letters to trace and as an example while using the sandbox. I have had these since my oldest child was a preschooler but they are surely not necessary for this exercise. Simple index cards with a letter written on it would suffice just fine as an example.
I initially had her sitting on her mat on the floor but I have a crawling baby about the house who thinks sand is a delicacy so we have since moved to a small table.
All in all, the box and sand cost less than $5. She uses it every day, sometimes several times. On occasion, she will play in the sand and make a mess and then I know it is time to move on to another activity. I like finding simple, inexpensive ways to help the kids learn.
