Tactile Surfaces for Practicing Letter Formation

Pens, pencils, and paper are important, of course, but don’t overlook the possibilities of using different tactile surfaces to practice correct letter formation with your child! Try this assortment of hands-on activities.

Fill a tray or baking dish with rice, then have your child make letters by tracing his or her finger through the rice. Or substitute the rice with another item from your pantry—experiment with salt, sugar, or flour. Then step outdoors and practice making letters in the sand, in the snow, or in a tray of bird seed!]

For some ooey-gooey fun, fill a Ziploc baggie with shaving cream, whipped cream, liquid soap, glue, or pudding. Seal the bag to avoid a mess, and let your child use his or her finger to write through the bag. And if you use pudding, you'll also get to enjoy a tasty snack after your lesson!

Make raised letters for your child to trace. Write a letter on an index card, then trace the letter with liquid glue. Let the glue dry, and then have your child trace the shape of the glue with his or her index finger. To create a rougher surface, you can cover the glue with sand before it dries. For similar fun, create letters with puffy fabric paint!

Using Play-Doh, clay, or modeling wax, have your child form letters and then trace them with his or her index finger.

Have your child practice writing individual letters on unusual surfaces, such as a sheet of very fine sandpaper, a piece of fabric like velvet or corduroy, or a square of plush carpeting.

For an endless source of educational entertainment, try wax sticks, like Wikki Stix. Their versatility will engage your child’s attention and imagination, and the sticks are perfect for the formation of letters. 

Remember to observe your child to make sure that he or she is forming the letters in the correct direction. This important step will ensure that your child is building fundamental skills while exploring a variety of tactile surfaces!

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