6 Ways to Practice Name Writing

Name writing is an important skill for the beginning of kindergarten, but can be practiced from about the age of three.  Any activity that provides a tactile approach will draw a child into the activity.

1. Rice and Sand Trays: Pour rice or sand into a shallow baking pan.  I actually prefer to use the 9X9 foil pans.  Write your child's name on an index card.  Have your child use his/her index finger to trace the letters in the rice or sand tray.  For those that are having trouble, you may want to place the index card in the bottom of the tray and have the child trace directly on the card.
2. Shaving Cream:  Follow the same directions as for the rice and sand trays.
3. Rainbow Writing: Parent writes the child's name in pencil or pen first. The child traces his/her name with crayons using correct letter formation. Do this 3 times using a different color each time. 
4. Play Dough Words: Have your child roll play dough into the letters needed to spell his/her name. Place letters in the correct order. Read name. Orally spell name. Then, write name on a piece of paper.
5. Magnet Madness: Have your child look at an index card with his/her name printed on it. Orally spell the word. Using refrigerator magnets, arrange the letters in the correct order to spell the word. Orally read and spell the word again.
6. Chalk: have your child use a small broken piece of chalk to write hie or her name on a chalk board.  Use a tiny wet sponge piece to retrace the letters to erase them.

* Helpful Tip: Use broken crayons for handwriting practice.  The smaller pieces help your child grip the writing utensil properly.  

What's in a Name?

It is always nice when an incoming kindergartner comes in already reading and writing his/her name.  This gives me an edge because I can use his/her name as a basis for letter and sound recognition. I can also praise the child for being both a reader and a writer.  I love the look on the kiddos' faces when they realize just how "smart" they are  for the first time. 

Simple Ways to Practice With Your Child's Name...

*Sequence the Letters: Working on sequencing the letters in your child's name is a great place to start.  I like to use magnet letters, letter tiles, or his or her name cut into individual letters from a piece of paper.

Place a handwritten copy of your child's name and the magnetic or tile letters into a storage container.  A ziplock baggie or school supply box work well.

directions:

1.  Have your child pull out his/her name plate and read it to you.  Place the name plate directly in front of your child on a flat surface. 
2.  Have your child practice pointing to the letters and saying the letter names. 
3.  Dump out the letters.  Have your child flip them all right side up and in the correct orientation to read them.
4.  Touch the first letter of your child's name.  Have him/her say the letter name.  If needed, supply the letter name for your child.  Ask her to locate the letter _ and place it in front of her.
5.  Continue in this manner until the entire name has been sequenced and spelled.
6.  Before picking up the letters, repeat step one.

*Note* If your child already knows the letter names, you can do this same activity working on letter sounds. 

Also, do not follow these steps every time as your child will become easily bored.  On fidgety days, simple hand the materials to your child and her put her name together.  Just for fun... nothing more.

*Fun Ways to Practice Writing a Name WITHOUT a Pencil:  Using a pencil is the final step to writing your name.  It is the outcome we all must achieve.  While your child journeys closer to his/her goal, have some fun when writing a name.

Use shaving cream on the counter or a metal cookie sheet.  I prefer non menthol.  It doesn't sting the eyes.

Pudding baggies get in some much needed practice and have the added benefit of becoming a snack when the activity is complete.  Pour a small amount of pudding into a ziplock and seal.  Get as much air out of the baggie as possible.  I double bag by inserting the first baggie upside down into the second one to ensure less mess.

Water painting is great fun on a sunny afternoon.  Hand your kiddo a bowl of water and paint brush and let her practice writing that name over and over again on the fence or sidewalk.

Use the pointer finger to practice writing your name in wet sand.  When you are done, use a bit of extra sand to create a fun beach themed picture.

Bath tub crayons are a must.  What could be better than practicing name writing while getting clean.

There are so many different ways to practice writing your name.  these are just some of my favorite kid-tested ways.