Our Playful Preschool Series theme this week is nursery rhymes. We have explored some fun themes this month including snowmen, healthy habits and polar animals. Today we have a fun pre-writing and writing activity for our preschoolers.
Woolly Letters and Lines
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Why We Chose This Activity
I’ve been reading or reciting nursery rhymes to my boys since before they were born! One of our favorites in Baa Baa Black Sheep.
In fact we have this Baa Baa Black Sheep book by Iza Trapani which adds lots of verses to the original rhyme.
We also have been working on pre-writing and writing skills so we came up with a playful and sensory wool activity. My kids loved feeling the wool and listening to me explain how wool comes from sheep.
Setting Up and Playing
Materials needed: wool yarn, glue, scissors, construction paper, writing utensil
Prep is super easy for this activity. Just gather your supplies and you are ready to start.
Depending on the ability level of your child, there are various options for working with this activity.
1. For a child who isn’t ready to form letters, use the glue to form different shape lines. Have your child cut a piece of wool yarn and place it on the line. Cutting is a great fine motor activity. When the line has dried, have your child trace the line with their finger from left to right. Then, let your child use a writing utensil (this is our favorite writing utensil for new writers) to copy the line directly below the wool line.
2. Use glue to draw a letter on construction paper. Have your child cut a piece of yarn and lay it on the glue to form the letter. Allow to dry. Once dry, encourage your child to trace the letter with their finger. Then, have your child write the letter on another piece of paper using the wool letter as a model.
A simple and fun way to explore pre-writing and writing skills for preschoolers!
RELATED POSTS
Keep reading. Visit the links below for more great nursery rhyme activities from the #playfulpreschool team!
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Rhyming Game by Fun-A-Day
Mary had a Little Lamb Craft by Powerful Mothering
Jumping with Jack be Nimble Gross Motor Activity by Life Over C’s
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary Pattern Play by Rainy Day Mum
How does our garden grow?-Tips for Gardening with Preschoolers by Capri + 3
Nursery Rhyme Letter Writing by Still Playing School
Laura at Mommy Maleta says
What a great idea! This will be a great activity to do with my son since we are working on his fine motor skills. I’ll be featuring this post tomorrow at the Thoughtful Spot! Thx for sharing.
Nicolette Roux says
absolutely adore this activity!
Natasha says
This looks like a calming way to teach them to form letters. It’s something about yarn that makes me just feel at ease. I want to try this with my preschooler and just let my toddler play in some yarn.
Jodie Rodriguez says
It is a wonderful sensory experience. My kids have been enjoying cutting it too.
Mary Catherine says
My preschoolers love Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, too! 🙂 This looks like a fun way to connect back to the nursery rhyme. I can see my kiddos having fun using yarn to create!
Jodie Rodriguez says
I bet they would love it Mary Catherine. Let me know how it goes.
Devany says
What a smart way to work nursery rhymes in with a fine motor letter making activity! Brilliant!
Danielle says
Fantastic idea! We are going to do this! Also, thanks for recommending the crayon rocks. I think they will be great for my son. 🙂
Theresa says
This is such a great sensory activity! It is also a great way to show them how to form letters without worrying about grasp.
Bonnie says
This looks like such a fun activity to try. I think my kids will like it.
Amanda says
I know it sounds silly, but I get all teared up at the end of this book. Not sure what it is about it that gets me. What a great literacy extension that activates the sense of touch! I want to make these today!