Mommy slowly writes a letter on the dry erase board talking through the strokes using their Fundanoodle names like “zip” and “zoom.” Then Mommy excitedly shows toddler, who uses the eraser end of the dry erase marker to erase the letter - (sometimes using similar writing strokes and sometimes a frantic scribble). Then toddler stomps on the card spread out on the floor in a small group. (use Upper Case Muscle Mover Cards) Erase Mommy’s Letters On Dry Erase Board Mommy makes the initial letter sound and movement of an animal on one of the Muscle Mover cards. With practice, sometimes the letter sound is all that’s needed. (use Upper Case Muscle Mover Cards) Guess The Animal Then toddler finds the letter from 4-8 letter cards on the ground and then carries it through a play tunnel to Mommy. Mommy makes a letter sound and then says the name of a letter. To show you how playful and unstructured we are in our explorations of letters and writing, here are 12 silly and educational ways we play and learn with Fundanoodle’s products: As I use them with my kiddos, I can TELL these products were designed by developmental experts. But when I love something, I happily share it! And since some of my OT friends are the creators of Fundanoodle and others are Fundanoodle Ambassadors, our house is well stocked with Fundanoodle gifts.įundanoodle products fit perfectly into our playtimes, and they incorporate all 5 of the secrets I just described. If you’ve read here long, you know I don’t do “sponsored posts” or get paid to endorse products. One set of learning tools I’m grateful to have in my house are from Fundanoodle, an educational readiness program that was designed by two Occupational Therapists (and fellow mamas) I used to work with. I respect play and connection as the most valuable means for learning.īoth clinically as an OT and as a mom, I've seen that young kiddos learn better from hands-on play than from technology or structured, seated work. I trust children to learn to write and read when they’re ready by following their interests and passions. Here’s the thing… Playtime or Writing Time? BOTH!Īt their young ages, I take a very unstructured, child-led approach to teaching typically developing kiddos. Does your child have a passion for animals? Reading books about animals is supporting writing skills. Have a kiddo who loves art and just makes scribbles? Sweet, they’re getting some amazing exposure to writing tools. Have a kid who would rather chase a ball or play trucks? That’s active play and play with manipulatives. The beauty of this list is that it fits all levels of interest in writing. Whatever your toddler’s interest level is in writing is OKAY.

Other kiddos won’t have much interest in letters and numbers until closer to 4 or 5. I remember my son asking what said at that age. Some kiddos will start to recognize letters at 2 years old and show an interest in the world of letters and numbers. Make these items available for your kiddo to get creative with. But writing tools also include paint brushes, sidewalk chalk, Do a Dot markers, Magnadoodle boards, Water Wow paint-free painting pages, and even a stick to draw roads in the sandbox. Developmentally toddlers are learning to make simple pre-writing marks - vertical and horizontal lines and circles. Exposure To Writing Toolsĭrop the pre-academic skills educational agenda and just let your kiddo scribble, paint and explore writing tools and the marks they make. The best way to support them gaining those skills is through play with manipulatives.ĭuplos, stringing beads, play-doh, kinetic sand, puzzles, stickers, doll babies with clothes to take off and put on, Magnatiles, and my toddler’s favorite - 'little guys” to put in rescue vehicles - are all perfect examples of open-ended toys that encourage the hand-eye coordination and hand strength needed for writing. Little toddler hands are not ready for the grasping, visual and coordination skills needed to write letters or detailed pictures. Let your child see you read - books, magazines, and the newspaper. Don’t stress if you don’t have an adorable book nook or trendy reading teepee in your home - a kid-accessible book basket or shelf and a floor, couch or lap work just fine. Read books together every day, and go to a public library weekly if you have one available. Outside is best (nature supports sensory regulation), but there are certainly ways to do active play indoors (follow my Pinterest board for ideas). See my disclosure page for more information.Ĭlimbing, sliding, swinging, hanging, pushing, pulling, digging, jumping, rolling, and running: these are all ways that your child develops the strength, coordination, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills for reading and writing. This page includes affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission when you purchase products through these links.

Time for kids exploring writing