Learning to write in children is something that is achieved gradually, from 3-4 years to 6 years, although age is not the only determining factor in learning to write. Language, thinking and psychomotor development is also necessary to be able to write. Thanks to the game, the children become familiar with the skills necessary to be able to write in a playful way. Let's see some fun games to learn to write in children.
Every kid is a world
When thinking about learning to write in children, we must bear in mind that each child has a different development. We cannot use the same rhythm or the same expectations with children of the same age, because, as we saw before, other capacities and skills are involved that are not achieved at the same time.
The first thing you need to learn to write is the fine motor, that is to say, the precision in the movements with the hand and fingers to precisely hold the pencil, chalk, wax ... whatever is used to write. It is a skill that develops progressively and that little by little the child will have more precision. You also need to acquire phonological awareness (associate sounds with letters). They should not be pressured or forced. Children need fun, surprise, and excitement to learn. We must respect their learning rhythms.
To play these games choose a calm and relaxed atmosphere. A place where no interference (If there is television, turn it off as well as other electronic devices that can distract you) and be in good body posture. A workplace with good lighting where you have everything at hand. You can put an alphabet in a visible place as it will also help. Let's see some fun games to learn to write in children.
Fun games to learn to write in children
- Clay. To learn to write we first have to learn to identify the words. Children enjoy playing with play dough. We can use it to go molding the letters that you are suggesting. You can start with the easiest ones (the vowels) and then continue with the rest of the consonants.
- Figures with the body. Similar to the previous one but in this case they have to make the suggested letters with their own body. When they do, you can take a photo of it so they can see if the final result looks like the letter.
- Magnetic board. These boards are great for writing and understanding words. To play with it, we can write several words on pieces of paper that are missing a letter. The child must choose a paper and put the incomplete word on the magnetic board and try to complete the word.
- Letters on the light table. Bedside tables are an educational resource that is very fashionable lately. It is a luminous surface that allows children to explore their senses. To use it for this purpose we can put on the light table sand, soup paste, or salt so that the child can write the letters on it. You can use your own fingers or use a chopstick.
- Search and find. A game that consists of looking for objects that begin with the letters of the alphabet. In addition to having fun with the family, it helps children improve their phonological awareness.
- Drawings. Children enjoy drawing. We can suggest a letter of the alphabet and have them draw something that they think is related to that letter or has a similar shape. Drawing improves their fine motor skills and at the same time they notice the letters, their sound, how it is written and the words that contain it. A complete game to learn while playing.
Because remember ... learning to write is a magical moment where the world of letters is making sense. Enjoy that moment with your child.