Pre-Printing Development

Peeling stickers is a great way to promote pincer grasp which is needed for future pencil grasp and hand strengthening. Bonus: add a vertical surface (side of the refrigerator, window, wall, easel) for some added core and shoulder strengthening.  

Spray some cheap shaving cream on a table top and have your child trace the pre-writing lines in it with their finger (pointer finger preferred). You can also add food coloring if you want some added visual input (food coloring can stain).

Use a small wood or plastic tray and pour a thin layer of fine sand on the bottom. Place a visual prompt of the pre-writing line above the tray and have your child use a paintbrush to make the pre-writing line in the sand. Using the paintbrush will also encourage proper pencil grasp! 

Roll out play dough “worms” for lines or roll them into a ball for circle shapes. You can also use play dough to form lines and place them over a pre-writing line or letter cards to practice line and letter formations. 

Have child trace over lines by squeezing glitter glue - great for hand strengthening! 

Use pipe cleaners to copy shapes and lines.

Guided Drawing: dog

Guided Drawing: cat

Guided Drawing: Dinosaur