Giving children opportunities to write, even if it is just scribbles, helps children understand that print can represent spoken words. It can also help children develop eye-hand coordination and the fine motor control they need to hold a pencil.
Ages 0-1: Practice activities that build finger muscles, such as picking up Cheerios and grasping toys.
Ages 1-2: Practice activities that build finger muscles, such as crumpling paper, completing simple puzzles, and grasping small objects like shakers, straws, spoons, and more.
Ages 2-3: Explore shapes. Letters are made of shapes, so identifying shapes is a first step towards recognizing letters. Play with physical letters, such as magnets or letters made from playdough.
Ages 3-5: Color and scribble! Ask your preschooler to write about their drawing. Even if they aren’t writing letters, this helps them recognize that written words stand for spoken words.