Prewriting Experiences

Beginning writing doesn't start with letter formation. In fact, children's earliest attempts at "writing" may not even require pencils or crayons. When children make scribbling motions in sand or soapsuds, they begin to develop the visual-motor skills they will need to form letters and words later on.

Children who have limited experience with print will benefit by engaging in pre-writing activities that involve many of their senses. Following are several suggestions.

Air Mail

Have the children use their pointer fingers (or entire arms) as "pencils" and pretend to write a message in the air to the elephant.

Writing with Light

Hand out flashlights to the children, and turn off the room lights. Invite the children to "write" or "draw" on the ceiling, wall, or chalkboard.

Wet Fingers

Children will enjoy dipping their pointer fingers into water and writing with their wet fingers on a chalkboard.

Chalk Talk

Provide the children with chalk to write on the classroom chalkboard. Or, allow them to write on the playground with sidewalk chalk.

Palm Printing

Encourage the children to slather one palm with finger paint and then "write" their names or draw pictures on the palms of their hands.

The Sands of Time

Provide each child with a small, shallow box containing a layer of sand, salt, or birdseed. Encourage the children to write or draw in the material by using a pointer finger or a craft stick.

"Rice" to the Occasion

If your classroom has a water table, fill it with sand or rice. Allow the children to use their hands to write or draw pictures.

Screen Writing

You'll need the following for each child or center:

9" x 12" piece of composite board or heavy cardboard
9" x 12" piece of a rough surface
(e.g., window screen, plastic needlepoint canvas, sandpaper, or textured fabric)
packing tape
9" x 12" sheets of thin paper, such as newsprint or typing paper
4-8 spring-type clothespins
crayons

Securely tape the screen, canvas, sandpaper, or fabric piece to the heavy board. Be sure all edges are covered so that the materials do not come apart.

Using the clothespins, firmly clip a sheet of paper on top of the rough surface. Then invite a child to use crayons to "write" or draw on the paper. The rough surface beneath the paper will provide an interesting pattern when the child draws on top of it with crayons.

Goopey Goop

You'll need two, one-gallon resealable bags and two or three tablespoons of "Goopey Goop" (pudding, finger paint, or an inexpensive hairstyling gel). Put the goop into one of the bags and seal it so that there's no excess air. Place the "goop bag" upside-down into the remaining empty bag. Then let the air out of the outer bag and seal it, too. (For extra protection from leaks, you may wish to reinforce this last seal by covering it with packing tape.)

Encourage the children to write or draw in the goop by using their pointer fingers or a cotton swab to gently press on the outer bag.