Pre-K Printable Fun
  • Home
  • About
    • Pre-K Printable Fun
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    • Policies
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Activity Library
  • Themes
  • Become a Member
  • Log In
  • Store

Preschool Activities to Inspire Early Writers

8/18/2022

Comments

 
Picture

Preschool Activities to Inspire Early Writers

Activities that inspire early writers are an essential part of any preschool program. Writing skills are one of the most crucial skills for preschoolers to learn. At an early age, it begins with inspiring preschoolers to be interested in pre-writing skills, which will set them up for success in becoming confident and independent writers.
As educators, we can assist preschoolers in building their writing muscles by providing them with various activities that are creative, fun, and, most importantly, lay the foundation for writing skills. Children from a young age have an interest in writing, from using different writing utensils to mimicking their parent's writings using scribbles and markings. As children develop, we can begin to foster that spark by using various tools for preschoolers to experiment with, like writing trays, tracing, and using sidewalk chalk. Emergent writing skills play a vital role in preschoolers' success with reading and writing. The activities we are sharing are excellent for not only building the muscles for writing but will also inspire preschoolers to want to write. 

Writing Trays

Writing trays are a definite favorite in the preschool classroom. Their popularity is well-deserved. They are one of the best tools for enhancing fine motor skills while introducing writing. The best part about writing trays is you can differentiate based on your learners, but you can also change out the fillers to keep preschoolers engaged each time you introduce a new tray. 

Writing trays are a great opportunity for preschoolers to practice letter formation, their name, numbers, CVC words, and more. Writing trays are easy to set up and allow for a ton of creativity. Not only do writing trays inspire preschoolers to write, but they also offer a tactile sensory experience. Here are some fun ideas for getting started with writing trays, bird seed, sand, and even a rainbow themed tray. You can grab the free printable to go along with a rainbow theme here.

​Tracing Letters

Picture
Letter tracing is a quick way to start building emergent writing skills. Tracing helps refine pre-writing skills and helps preschoolers begin to understand letter formation. The more opportunities your preschooler has to trace, their ability to trace successfully becomes stronger. Writing is about gaining control over the arms and fingers, and tracing allows preschoolers to practice gaining the necessary control needed for successful writing. 
​
Tracing can begin with lines, shapes, and pictures while gradually moving into letters, names, and words. Allowing the opportunity for gradual progression is an essential factor in developing writing skills. Try out these summer-themed writing cards or these alphabet sheets to introduce tracing to your preschoolers.

Name Writing 

Picture
One of the simplest ways to inspire your preschoolers to write is by giving them an opportunity to practice their name. A preschoolers name is extremely meaningful to them and they take pride in knowing their name and writing it is no exception. Having preschoolers practice their name gives them a real-life connection to letters, sounds, and how they work together. And, once a preschooler begins to practice writing their name the desire to learn more explodes!
​ 
The best part about name writing is there are so many different activities you can do to foster this learning. Check out this extensive list of ideas for name practice in the preschool classroom. Or, grab a set of customizable name worksheets for your preschooler to begin not only recognizing the letters in their name but also writing the letters. Provide your preschoolers with an opportunity to begin first by identifying the letters in their name and gradually work towards tracing. We have a free bubble name activity that pairs great with dot markers- a preschool favorite!

Sidewalk Chalk

Picture
One of the best ways to inspire preschoolers is to provide them with activities they know and love. Insert: CHALK! When the weather permits it's nice to get outside with your little learners and bring a bucket or two of chalk. This is an open-ended activity with no expectations, which is one of the best ways to encourage preschoolers to draw. As preschoolers progress in their writing skills, notice the changes in their sidewalk chalk pictures. Grab this roll & write activity to inspire your preschoolers to practice letters during play. 

Dramatic Play

Picture
Dramatic play centers allow preschoolers to foster creativity and enhance relationship buildings and self-expression, but they also connect preschoolers to real-life experiences. Dramatic play is a common aspect of early learning and encourages preschoolers to act out real-life situations. And writing is a big part of the real world. Dramatic play gives educators a simple way to include writing activities like list-taking and order-taking in various themed dramatic play centers. A diner theme is a simple way to teach preschoolers how waiters and waitresses write down our orders. Try setting up a post office with an area for preschoolers to write letters to mail to friends and family!

​Writing Centers

Create a designated space in your classroom for a writing center. This space includes various writing tools like markers, crayons, pencils, and dry-erase markers that are always accessible for preschoolers. A writing center can have all necessary supplies stocked and ready to go so preschoolers can independently work in the writing center. This is a space to foster drawing and encourage writing. It’s also a great space to display a word wall so preschoolers can practice writing the words. 
​
Writing centers are open-ended, and having the center always accessible will inspire your preschooler to work on their writing with no expectations. Grab a set of free back to school printables and a word wall to include in your writing center.

Dry Erase Practice 

Picture
Writing is a skill that progresses as a preschooler's strength and dexterity increase. As educators, we can provide students with various activities that strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers. And part of that process includes giving preschoolers opportunities to work with different writing utensils. Little learners always see their older siblings and friends using those awesome dry-erase markers, but they are also perfect for pre-writing skills! 

Dry-erase activities are easily created by simply laminating some of your favorite worksheets,  the ability to wipe them clean makes them great for daily use. You can laminate worksheets and put them in a binder where preschoolers can easily access the binder for writing practice. Another great way to encourage name-writing is to laminate a preschooler's name worksheet and have them practice every day. Practice open-ended doodling and writing by providing your learners with whiteboards, too! There are so many ways to differentiate dry-erase activities. Check out this summer binder for ideas on creating your own dry-erase binders. 

Journal Writing 

​Journaling is a way for preschoolers to practice open-ending writing while communicating their ideas. Preschoolers also love sharing stories and experiences, making journaling a go-to activity with your little learners!

It’s an essential step in practicing emergent writing skills while making a connection between text and speech. Journaling can be tailored toward the needs of your preschoolers. Some ideas are printing or writing prompts on pages in their journal, then spending a few minutes throughout the day with each student asking them the question and having them draw/journal to correspond with their answer. Be sure to write the answer to their question. Here are a few ideas for journal prompts.
​
  • Draw a picture of your family
  • Did you go on vacation this summer? Draw a picture. 
  • What is your favorite fall activity?
  • If you could eat one food, what would it be?
  • What is your favorite thing to do at school? 

Invite your preschoolers to answer a question and write/draw daily, and you will be amazed at the progress throughout the year. Especially as preschoolers begin to mimic your writing in the journal, this is also a great assessment tool. 

Directed Drawings 

Drawing is a big component of early learning, gaining confidence in drawing ability takes time and lots of practice. Directed drawings are a step-by-step process requiring preschoolers to draw something. A teacher uses a worksheet or a demonstration to walk students through each step. Directed drawings are another great way to practice emergent writing skills but in a different capacity. They also give preschoolers practice in following step-by-step directions and paying attention to details, which are essential lifelong skills. 

Fostering a love for writing at a young age is a crucial component of creating life-long writers, and there are so many fun and creative ways to inspire your preschoolers to practice these skills at a young age! As preschoolers begin to master pre-writing skills it makes the transition to letter formation a much smoother process for little learners. 

You May Also Like:

Name Recognition Activities 

Editable Name Practice 
Language and Literacy Activities 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Comments
    Picture

    What can I help you find?


    Become a Member

    Picture
    Learn More

    Get Free
    Lesson Plans!

    50+ Free Sample Preschool Lesson Plans!
    Free Lesson Plans
    Sign Me Up!

    Popular Products

    Circus Preschool Activity Pack

    $7.00
    Shop

    Let's Build STEM Poster Pack

    $3.00
    Shop

    Under the Sea Ocean Animals Preschool Activity Pack

    $7.00
    Shop

    Let's connect!


    By Category:

    All
    4th Of July
    All About Me
    Alphabet & Letters
    Animals
    Apples
    Arctic Animals
    Arctic Animals & Ice
    Around The World
    Art & Creativity
    Assessments
    Back To School
    Bakery
    Basic Operations
    Birds
    Birthday
    Black History
    Blocks & Small World Play
    Book Companion
    Book Lists
    Camping
    Canada Day
    Caterpillars And Butterflies
    Centers
    Childcare
    Chinese New Year
    Christmas
    Circle Time & Calendar
    Circus
    Classroom Management
    Clouds Wind And Rain
    Colors
    Community-helpers
    Community-helpers
    Construction & Building
    Cooking & Snacks
    Crafts
    Creative Recipe
    Dance
    Deck The Halls
    Dental Health
    Dinosaurs
    Diversity
    DIY & Money Saving
    Doctor's Office
    Dramatic Play
    Early Learning Standards
    Earth Day And Recycling
    Easter
    Educator Resources
    Experiments & Investigations
    Fairy Tales
    Fall
    Family And My Home
    Farm
    Father's Day
    Feelings And Emotions
    Felt Activities
    Fine Motor
    Fingerplays & Rhymes
    Fire Safety
    Flowers & Bees
    Free-printables
    Free-printables
    Friendship And Kindness
    Fruits And Vegetables
    Fun In The Sun
    Gardening
    Gift & Party Ideas
    Gingerbread Sweet Treats
    Graduation
    Graph & Measure
    Gross Motor
    Groundhog Day
    Halloween
    Health & Safety
    Holidays & Traditions
    Homeschool
    Hot Chocolate
    IKEA
    Important People
    Insects
    Kwanzaa
    Language And Literacy
    Leaves & Trees
    Lesson Planning
    Library Fun
    Life Science
    Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    Math
    Medieval Fantasy & Fairy Tales
    Monthly Themes & Ideas
    Mother's Day
    Movies And Popcorn
    Music And Singing
    Name Activities
    New Year's Eve
    Nocturnal Animals
    Number Formation
    Numbers & Counting
    Nursery Rhymes & Mother Goose
    Organization & Storage
    Outer Space
    Outside & Nature
    Parent Engagement
    Patterns
    Penguins
    Pets
    Physical Development
    Picnics
    Pirates & Tropical Island
    Play Dough
    Police
    Pond
    Positional Phrases
    Posters & Displays
    Post Office
    Printable Crafts
    Printable Tips
    Process Art
    Pumpkins
    Puppets
    Puzzles & Games
    Rainbow
    Reading
    Robots
    Rocks Dirt And Mud
    Routines
    Santa And His Helpers
    Scarecrows Corn And Crows
    Science & Discovery
    Self Care
    Sensory Play
    Shapes
    Signs
    Snakes
    Snow And Snowmen
    Social Emotional
    Social Studies
    Sorting And Classifying
    Spiders
    Sports
    Spring
    Spring Cleaning
    Squirrels And Acorns
    STEM
    St. Patrick's Day
    Summer
    Teamwork
    Transportation
    Turkeys And Thanksgiving
    Under The Sea
    Valentine's Day
    Veterans Day & Military
    Vocabulary
    Weather
    Winter
    Winter Clothes
    Winter Sports
    Woodland Forest Animals
    Worms Snails Slugs
    Writing
    Zoo

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2019
    September 2018
    June 2013
    May 2013

    RSS Feed

Choose a Theme:

A-E
All About Me
Apples
Arctic Animals and Ice
Around the World
Birds
Camping
Caterpillars & Butterflies
Circus
Clouds Wind Rain
Construction & Building
Deck the Halls
Dental Health
Dinosaurs
Earth Day & Recycling

Easter
F-M
Fall Leaves & Trees
Family & Home
Farm
Father's Day
Fire Safety
Flowers & Bees
Fourth of July
Friendship & Kindness
Fun in the Summer Sun
​Gingerbread & Sweet Treats
Growing Fruits & Vegetables (Gardening)
Halloween
Insects
Library Fun
Medieval Fantasy & Fairy Tales
Mother's Day
Movies & Popcorn
N-R
New Years
Nocturnal Animals Day/Night
Nursery Rhymes
Ocean Animals Under the Sea
Outer Space
Penguins
Pets
Picnics
Pirates and Tropical Island
Pond Animals
Post Office 
Pumpkins
Rainbows
Robots
Rocks Dirt & Mud
S-Z
Santa and His Helpers
Scarecrows, Crows, & Corn
Snakes
Snow & Snowmen
Spiders
Spring Cleaning
Squirrels and Acorns
St. Patrick's Day
Transportation
Turkeys & Thanksgiving
Valentines Day
Winter Clothes & Staying Warm
Winter Sports
Woodland Forest Animals
Worms, Snails, Slugs
Zoo Animals

Picture

Learning Centers

Preschool Learning Centers are commonly referred to as Preschool Centers, or Learning Spaces. These are activity areas dedicated to a specific type of of play and exploring a variety of topics and activities. Download our Free set of Center Signs!
Learn More

Site

Home
About
Blog
Themes
eBook
Membership
Store
Subscribe
Member Dashboard

Topics

Art & Creativity
Dramatic Play
Language and Literacy
Math
Science and Discovery
Physical Development
Social and Emotional Development
Educator Resources

Contact Us

Need help? Visit our FAQ page 
Support Desk: [email protected]
Privacy Policy • Refunds • Terms of Use • Digital Product TOU •Pre-K Printables Club Membership TOU •Disclosures

©  Pre-K Printable Fun 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
    • Pre-K Printable Fun
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    • Policies
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Activity Library
  • Themes
  • Become a Member
  • Log In
  • Store