My driveway is covered in a series of letters, etched out in blue, pink and yellow sidewalk chalk. To an outsider, it says, "VIVIVIVIVIVIVIAVIVIVIVIVIVIVIZ." To me and to my barely-three-year-old daughter, it says, "Vivian"-- my daughter's name.
As kids approach their preschool years, they often become fascinated by their own letter-writing abilities. The ability to write simple letters, such as X and O, can come any time between 2.5 and 4 years of age, with most kids gaining the ability to write their names before age five.
There are several simple ways that you can encourage your toddler's ability to write-- or, at least, to form the basic foundations necessary for writing. Here are a few guidelines that have helped me and my daughter.
1. Give her the utensils she needs. Keep crayons, markers, pencils and pens in your home, along with plenty of writing surfaces. A handy supply of recycled paper, junk-mail, and empty cardboard boxes can keep your child's fine-motor practice going without coming at a major expense to the environment. Also consider products such as Magna-Doodle and Aquadoodle, which are waste-free products that erase easily for re-use. A line of coloring books can also keep your toddler's interest piqued.
2. Get hands-on. To a toddler, it is easier to "write" with a fingertip than a pencil or pen. Try encouraging your toddler's interest in hands-on "writing" by pouring salt or sugar onto a plate. Then demonstrate how to trace the letters with a fingertip. If your toddler would prefer to smear the sugar all over the plate and "draw" pictures of stick-people, don't sweat it. In this stage of your toddler's development, fun and creativity are more important than writing skills.
3. Take it outside. My toddler had trouble holding a small pencil in a writing position, so writing small letters was a bit of a challenge at first. Sidewalk chalk is a much more toddler-friendly alternative, since kids can use large, broad strokes to form letters. Supply your toddler with sidewalk chalk and encourage her to trace letters that you write. Start by writing your toddler's name, or simple letters like X, O, I and V, and watch your child emulate them on the cement.
4. Use workbooks and printable pages. Dotted-line workbook sheets can help your toddler learn to write letters. If your toddler's fine motor skills aren't quite ready for big-kid worksheets, try making your own dot-to-dots. You can use an entire page for a single letter, using a marker or pen to draw the letter's basic form. Encourage your toddler to connect the lines to form a letter, and then explain the letter's most common phoneme.
5. Talk about writing. Let your toddler know how important writing is. As you go about your daily chores, explain, "I'm writing a shopping list. I'm writing a letter to your grandma. I'm writing a note for you: 'I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U spells 'I love you!'" Your ongoing pen movements will fascinate your toddler, and he will want to learn how to write such important messages. Similarly, when your toddler hands you a paper full of squiggles and announces that it says, "I want a hug," reward this attempt at written communication by hugging your kiddo.
6. Get professional help. If necessary, you might want to seek a developmental evaluation. A toddler who can't scribble by 15-18 months may have a fine motor delay. A two-year-old who can't draw a line, or a three-year-old who can't draw an "O," may also benefit from professional help. All children develop on a unique time line, but it's a good idea to chat with your child's physician if you suspect she is trailing far behind her peers. If your toddler has a diagnosable fine motor delay, she may benefit from occupational therapy, which isn't as scary as it sounds-- it simply involves a professional therapist helping your child strengthen her hand-control through games and activities.
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