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Using play dough helps to strengthen the muscles for Fine Motor Skills. Children from as young as 24 months can start playing with play dough  (as long as they know that they cannot put it in their mouths or eat it). Play dough helps with sensory skills where children get to touch and feel, it is great for pre-writing skills where the children can use the play dough to make letters and numbers. Children can engage with imaginative play when they start making things with their play dough.
This resource offers sensory skills and this relates to Nurturing Early Learners (NEL), which is supported by Piaget's assimilation where we take in new information and incorporate it into our existing knowledge

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Drawing is one of the modes of communication. It helps children express themselves when they are not able too. From drawing lines and scribbling to Pre-Schematic (no realism, mostly marks) to Schematic (more details), children go through stages in their drawings.
This resource offers how children communicate when they are not able to express themselves. This relates to the NEL framework learning goal 4 where children uses symbols to represent ideas, which is supported by Reggio Emilia where she believes that children learn through experiences of touch, observing. The aim of Reggio approach is to teach how to use symbolic language like painting in everyday life.
(The picture below is a drawing of a pie. This was how the child drew it after baking it in class with the teacher)

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When children begin writing, most of them will learn that there are differences with the language they speak and the language they write. Children begin to write through represented ideas in drawings.
Learning to write is often appointed as an arranged development from scribbles and mock writing to invented spelling that would map out sounds and written letters (Genishi & Dyson, 2009).
This resource offers the skills of learning how to write and this relates to cognitive and physical factors which is supported by Bromley, 2007 which is mentioned in Noella Mackenzie article, From drawing to writing: What happens when you shift teaching priorities in the first six months of school of the THE AUSTRALIAN JORNAL OF LANGUAGE AND LITERACY Vol. 34, No. 3, 2011, pp. 322 - 340

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Tracing are lines that connect 2 points. Pre-writing activities are lines and strokes that children need to know before they learn how to print out the letters of the alphabets, as each line are a development of a sequence.
This resource offers pre-writing skills and relates to NEL framework learning goal 4 which is supported by Piaget. It encourages the children to start writing from top to bottom.
It is a guide to help children follow lines and from basic shapes and lines they learn to form letters.

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From tracing lines, the next step is to trace out the letters of the alphabet. This activity guides the children to have good control of letter formation. The 3 lines guide (blue, red blue lines) the children with writing tall, short and hanging letters. It guides the children to start capital letters from the top blue line to the bottom blue line.

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Books with lines can be a fun way for children to practice writing. Children can sing a song as they practice to write. The song goes like this "from the top blue line to the bottom blue line" (for tall letters), "from the red line to bottom blue line" (for short letters), "from the red line to past the bottom blue line" (for hanging letters).
This resource offers practicing of writing and relates to NEL framework learning goal 4 which is supported by Piaget. This helps the children read and write from left to right.

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Fine Motor Development is the ability to co-ordinate small muscles of the hand that would lead to the abilities of writing and holding a pencil.
Tracing letters, shapes, numbers or lines in sand and foam is a fun way for the children to have fun and to discover their abilities.

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One way to encourage children to write is for them to relate to the books they have read and for them to experience what they see. For example, the picture below was drawn after the children's field trip to the zoo as part of the curriculum and theme "The Environment - The Fragile Forest". This child was able to draw what he saw at the Fragile Forest and he was able to write about it after drawing the picture.
This resource offers drawing and writing from experiences and relates to the NEL framework learning goal 4 which is supported by Founts and Pinnell (1996)

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Children start by first scribbling and producing letter-like forms to strings of letters or their names. Through writing, children are learning to use written symbols and how written language works. The picture below is an example of how children practice writing letters of the alphabet and how they can relate and draw a picture that begins with the letter and write a sentence about it.

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Another way for children to feel and trace around letters is by using the letter sandpaper cards.
Some children need to touch and feel for them to grasp in the concepts being taught. This resource activity is good for children aged 4 to 5 as they are learning how letter formation are being formed.

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Formation of letters, numbers and shapes.

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Formation of letters, numbers and shapes.

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A fun activity for children to learn without them realising that they are learning is using the Geoboard. Children are using the coloured rubber bands to stretch it and forming letters, numbers and shapes. In this resource activity, they are learning about Maths concepts too; colours, shapes.
This resource offers formation of letters, numbers & shapes and relates to NEL learning goal 4 whereby children form letters of the alphabets using materials such as the geo boards which is supported by Dyson's (1991) that suggest children faces many tensions between what they know and the ability to be creative.

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Most children enjoy drawing and colouring. An activity to encourage children to write is asking them to make books. Some of the children are able to put a few sheets of paper together and staple them together. Children can draw and write their own story.
This resource offers creative expression and relates to the Language Experience Approach focus which is supported by Hardy (1968, cited in Spilka 1977) which suggest that we build reality in stories that we tell ourselves on how the world works. Stories that help children understand their emotions.

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Children can practice forming letters through art. It fun and it can get messy!! Using an activity sheet and dot-a-dots children will be able to follow the formation of letters

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This activity encourages the children to feel the paint without getting messy. Children can use their fingers or use a cotton bud to trace out letters and shapes.

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Most children love to talk. They can imagine and tell us stories. Some find it difficult to pen it down. To encourage writing, we, teachers can ask them to tell us what they want to write on paper. We can write it out for them so that they can copy write what is written.
This resource offers copy writing and relates to NEL learning goal 4 where the teacher writes a copy of what the children verbalise to get ideas written and then to be proofread and later changed. This is supported by Dyson (1991)

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After the concept of alliteration is being introduced in class, the teacher can encourage the children by drawing a picture to represent the words written.

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Threading beads / letters of the alphabet helps children to focus using their eye hand co-ordination as they use the beads to thread through it. It is a practice method of using the string / thread to go through the beads. It can be used as a Maths concert too as colours, shapes are introduced.
This resource offers NEL framework learning goals 4 and relates to focus which is supported by Vygotsky. The concept of ZPD refers to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can achieve with guidance and encouragement form a skilled partner.

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Pattern blocks is a fun activity that helps children create patterns, form shapes, letters. It is colourful and children get to use their imagination to create what they want. They can even write about what they built.

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Another activity for children to enjoy drawing and writing is for them to draw about what they learn for the Theme. The theme for this activity was about occupation. This child drew what he wanted to be when he grew and he was able to write a sentence about it.

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When the concept of blends are being taught, an activity that the children can do is to draw a picture and write out a sentence to represent the picture

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Let's watch the video. This resource highlighted the connection and relationship of reading and writing. Morrow (2014) stated that the purposes for reading and writing are similar as the main focus  is to construct meaning. According to Morrow (2014), Bromley stated that when reading, the children deal with meaning by responding to what has been read while writing, children deal with meaning by constructing text. Children engage in similar activities when they are reading and writing. In both reading and writing, children will;

·         Generate ideas

·         Organize ideas

·         Monitor their thoughts

·         Problem solve

·         Revise how to think about ideas.

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This resource reflects NEL framework objectives that is children show beginning control and manipulation when holding a writing material. In addition, it also help children to gain the objective of show proper posture and hold marker with correct pencil grin.

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Ever hear the saying, "There's an app for that?" Well there is, and they're a great way to tap into your child's motivation while developing fine motor skills and handwriting. Look at the chart below for exciting, kid-friendly apps!

Apps for developing fine motor skills and handwriting:

Dexteria-Fine Motor Skill DevelopmentDexteria Jr. -Fine Motor Development

-Handwriting-Strength-Coordination and Control

-Dexterity

-Set of therapeutic hand exercises including letter tracing, pinching, taping, etc.-Tracking feature makes it easy to note progress

$3.99

Letter Tracer

-Pre-writing/Handwriting skills-Letter identification and formation-Finger Isolation

-Fine motor coordination and control

-Learn shapes, signs, and sounds of lower and upper case alphabet-Learn number formation

$0.99

Lego Creationary

-Motor planning-Visual perception-Finger isolation

-Match lego designs to a picture-Great single and multi-player game

Free

Paper Toss

-Motor planning-Visual perception- Hand-eye coordination

-Finger isolation

-Bilateral Coordination

-Stimulate crumpling a piece of paper and tossing it into a trash can.-Levels of difficulty-Single finger flick control

Free

Bugs and Buttons

-Fine motor precision-Finger Isolation-Pattern Formation

-Distal Manipulation

-18 games and activities covering a variety of learning skills including counting, sorting, pinching, letters, etc.

$2.99

Draw Animals

-Fine motor control-Finger Isolation-Visual Scanning

-Letter and Number Identification

-Fine motor coordination

-Following a pattern and verbal directions to recreate a picture.

Free

LetterReflex

-Motor Planning-Right and Left Discrimination-Visual Perception

-Distal Manipulation

-Finger Isolation

-Bilateral Coordination

-Sequencing

-Helps with letter reversal problems and letter discrimination skills

$1.99

Co-author: Kelley Balmer

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Apps to Enhance Fine Motor Development, Prewriting, and Writing Skills - North Shore Pediatric Therapy

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Ever hear the saying, "There's an app for that?" Well there is, and they're a great way to tap into your child's motivation while developing fine motor skills and handwriting. Look at the chart below for exciting, kid-friendly apps! Apps for developing fine motor skills and handwriting: Name Function Description Price Dexteria-Fine Motor Skill DevelopmentDexteria Jr.

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This resource is great for preschoolers as they are always fascinated with light box. Having light box in the centre for the writing development of the preschoolers is a great way to entice children participates in pre writing. Teachers can facilitated the children writing development by providing coloured translucent shapes, paints or cellophane papers. Putting these materials on the light box with draw young children attention as they get to see the colours thru the light box and in turn meddle with the materials which will help in their writing development as they work with their fine motor skills.

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We have continued to use our DIY light table regularly over the past several months and believe it's about the best thing I've done this year.

Really. I wish I had put one of these together years ago!
I highly recommend you set up a simple light table for your kids!
MY LATEST VIDEOS

If you've read my light table posts, you'll know that our very serviceable light table is simply a clear plastic storage box (ours is from Target) with a string of white Christmas lights inside. The cord is skinny enough to slip out under the lid. And when we're ready to take a break from exploring light and color on the light table, the box goes back into use for storage and the lights go back with the holiday decorations.

We still use the magnetic shapes all the time on and off the light table as well as some of the other toys and tools I wrote about in my light table post. Actually mostly just the magnetic shapes.

In addition, we have tried painting on the light table, playing with the cardboard dollhouse on the light table, checking out water balloons on the light table, and, of course, using water beads on the light table.
Light table play is both magical and educational.
While that first light table post was all about products we bought specifically for the light table, this post is all about light table activities that cost little or nothing. Many of them use materials you already have around the house!

10+ low-cost light table activities for kids

These light table activities include art, play, science, and more!

Art on the Light Table
1. Drawing on the light table
Like many of the activities listed here, you can draw anywhere. But seeing the light shine through the drawing as you work makes it extra interesting. And we all know how changing up locations and methods can inspire renewed creativity, right? In the photo above, I simply taped a piece of easel paper to the light table (you could use any relatively thin paper) and placed the box of markers beside it.

We've also done this with colored film and Sharpie markers as I shared in one of my posts about our kids' art display wall.
2. Contact paper collages on the light table
You know what contact paper is, right? It's that transparent sticky plastic that they sell with the shelf liners at the grocery store or drug store. Perfect for simple children's suncatcher art activities! We made heart suncatchers with contact paper and translucent mosaic tiles around Valentine's Day, but you could do any contact paper suncatchers on the light table. Try:
3. Painting on the light table
If you use a thinner paper (such as the easel paper pictured here) and watercolors, you can see the light shining through the paint as you work. So pretty! Read more in my post about watercolor techniques for kids.

Science Ideas on the Light Table
4. Nature on the light table
Gather leaves, flowers, and other nature items to observe on the light table. You can really see the structure of the leaves better when held to the light like this. You can also extend this activity by doing leaf rubbings on the light table... Or try feathers, translucent sea shells, crystals, butterfly or moth wings (if found already dead, of course), etc.
5. Rainbow milk science experiment on the light table
This is one of our favorite simple science experiments and the effect is even more magical on the light table! ( Click this link to see a couple of brief videos of the swirling, exploding colors.)
6. Melting ice experiment on the light table
As with the milk experiment, this melting ice science experiment is at least twice as wonderful with the light shining through as you work.

We used clear glass baking dishes and plates to let the light through while containing the melting ice and watercolors. (Those egg-shaped ice balls were made by freezing water balloons, by the way.)
7. Fizzing Colors Science Experiment
This is such a simple activity, yet always a hit with the kids! Mix vinegar with food coloring or liquid watercolors, then use a dropper to transfer to the baking soda. We put our baking soda in a transparent dish this time-a plastic egg serving tray from the dollar store-to enjoy the experiment on the light table.

Play Ideas on the Light Table

8. Water bead sensory play

As you know, we LOVE water beads! They are super cheap, super fun, and they are at their very best on the light table.

9. Water balloons and water balloon babies on the light table

Just 'cause.

10. Magnetic tiles on the light table

Okay, this one isn't so low cost. But if you already have magnetic tiles, then you will definitely want to try them on the light table. My kids use them for construction, pretend play, design, and more. And as with all things translucent, they are extra fun with the light shining through them.

More Learning Activities for the Light Table
11. Shaving cream writing on the light table
Squirt a thin layer of shaving cream into a transparent dish, spread it flat, then use your fingers, a chopstick, or a paintbrush to write or draw in the shaving cream. This works a lot like drawing in shaving cream on the window. You could also write in sand on the light table or in salt.
12. Cutting practice on the light table
If you have a little one who needs to practice cutting with scissors, try cutting colorful straws on the light table. My kids made straw "soup" by adding the straws to a bowl of water. Other cutting practice ideas: yarn, playdough snakes, strips of paper.
13. Building with colored straws on the light table
A package of colored drinking straws is inexpensive but makes a great light table accessory. My 4 year old poked many straws into a ball of playdough when we first set up the light table and my older daughter built straw structures with playdough as the connectors. If you like the idea of building on the light table, you could also try some of these toothpick construction ideas (I think the grapes or the gumdrops would be especially pretty on the light table).

More cheap light table activities (from around the web)

▪ Everyday light table play (with lots of interesting and low-cost ideas!) on Teach Preschool

▪ Explore nature on the light table with homemade light catchers on Still Parenting

▪ And, oh my goodness, make a DIY black light table on Growing a Jeweled Rose!

Happy playing and creating!
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Light Table Activities :: 10+ Free and Low-Cost Ideas for Kids

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We have continued to use our DIY light table regularly over the past several months and believe it's about the best thing I've done this year. Really. I wish I had put one of these together years ago! I highly recommend you set up a simple light table for your kids!

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RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 1 ACE PROJECT PROPOSAL

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This resource align with NEL learning objectives that is children will form letters of the alphabet using different media. This resource also reflected the objective of children will form letters of letters using different media.

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This resource is a must have in every n as mention by Morrow (2014) because preschoolers should be provided with environment for writing. Morrow (2014) also mentioned that this environment should be comfortable and ample writing supplies such as varieties of paper and pens, should be provided. In addition, teachers should include reading materials as well. This resource will develop children from begining to early emergent writing.

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Writing area                                                                                                                        … | Preschool Ideas | Pinterest | Writing area, Reggio and Literacy

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Writing area                                                                                                                                                     More

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This resource is very  apt for the children of current years. With IT savvy society, children will grasp the concept of pre writing easily as they gadgets such as IPad and tablet are of their interest. The focus of this resource is pre writing, whereby in NEL framework jnder the learning goal 4, children are making meaning which we can build on Rogoff’s Vygotskian conception to say that learning is
an effect of communities: we all belong to a number of communities, real-world and electronic, of varying degrees of networked intensity. For this app to work, a lot of people are involved in creating the app.
This is also one of the writing strategies that parents or educators can use for the children as it involves modelled writing whereby children observe the writing process.

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This resource is definitely in line with NEL framework goal that is children will be able to recognise and write their own name. Name writing should fun and progressive. The first stage of name writing is it's recognition. Followed by name spelling, just like the attached resource