Learning Objective: Name Recognition

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Our names are important to us. For many Children, the letters in their names will be the very first ones they learn how to write.

In this post, you will find tips to help children recognize, spell, and eventually write their names. You'll want to give the children in your care many opportunities to see and practice spelling their name. There are so many fun ways to practice this skill!

​Create a "Who's Here Today" routine 

Pre-K Printable Fun Sign In Activities shared by member Jessica H.

Welcome the children into your care every day. Create a sign in routine that allows children to find a name card (or write their name for older children). For younger Children you can include a photo along with their name. Eventually children will be able to recognize and locate their friend's names, in addition to their own. Take a closer look at my year long pack of editable sign in activities. 

Names everywhere!

It's important for Children to see their name in print. Place the children's names EVERYWHERE Label cubbies, art work, and label personal items such as cups and coats.

Create personalized craft projects

Create personalized craft projects using the letters in your child's name. They will begin to recognize their own name , and their friends names too! Print your free copy of this editable turkey name activity here. 

Offer a Variety of Name Recognition Activities

Children need plenty of tactile experiences during learning. This activity offers them an interesting touch experience while practicing their name. 
Adults: Use a hot glue gun to draw the child's name on heavy cardstock or cardboard. 
Once the glue is dry, children can trace their name with their finger. 

Follow up the glue name tracing activity with a fun name creation activity. Lay a plain white piece of paper over the name, then provide the child with a peeled crayon (invite children to help you peel the crayon for added fine motor enrichment), then show them how to make a crayon rubbing of their name by laying the crayon on its side and rubbing all over the white paper. 
**As a bonus your child will learn a new art process, follow up this activity by giving them plenty of interesting objects to create rubbings with such as leaves, pieces of wood, and rubbing plates. 

Use new and fun materials

Preschoolers love to use dot markers (or daubers). This Bubble Fun Name Practice Sheet (free download) is perfect for pairing with dot markers!
Keep several of these sheets on hand, your preschooler will want to repeat this activity. Once your child has mastered writing their name, leave the top blank and encourage them to write in their name.
They may also enjoy coloring in the bubbles with crayons or markers.

Start At The Beginning

Focusing on the letter that their name starts with is a great way to get preschoolers excited and engaged in learning to recognize their name.
This simple activity utilizes dot stickers, preschoolers peel them off and stick them to the letter. As a bonus, this activity is excellent for fine motor development!

​Add a splash of color

Watercolor Palettes are a staple in many early childhood classrooms, and for good reason. They are easy to use, low-mess, and fairly inexpensive. Pair with crayons for this magical activity. 
​Write your child's name in white crayon on white paper, then invite them to use watercolors to reveal their name.

I Can Create My Name!

There are many fun ways to practice name recognition and creation. Activity sheets like this Editable Name Practice Worksheet offer many different ways right on one page. 

Invite children to complete the sections of the page that appeal to them in a way that is appropriate for their developmental level. Older preschoolers may be ready to write out their name, younger preschoolers may enjoy using stamps to create their name. .
**Teacher Tip: Make a copy of the Name Activity sheet, or save it for their portfolio

Learn the names of others

Young children are also very interested in learning the names of their friends, pets, and family members. Invite children to share about these special people during conversations and activities.
One activity idea is to compare the number of letters each child (or family member) has in their name. Who has the most? Who has the least? Does anyone have the same number of letters? What about the same letters?

Build It!

Get creative and encourage your preschooler to build their name with everyday objects during play!

​Talk about letters 

Be sure to spend time each day talking about the letters in each child's name. ​For example: "This is a C.. Connor's name starts with a C", "This is a Y.. Becky's name has a Y in it".  When you write a Child's name you can also say the letters aloud as you write them.

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What is your favorite way to practice Name Recognition? Let me know in the comments!

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You Might Like:

Editable Name Practice
A Year of Daily Attendance Activities
Free Bubble Fun Name Practice
Book Lists for Kids

Name Activities with Colorful Pumpkins Seeds by Fun-a-Day
Name Snowmen by Fun-a-Day
Name Recognition Snack by Munchkins and Moms

Gem Letters by No Time for Flashcards
Name Rubbings by Pre-K Pages
Triple the Name Tracing by Hands on as we Grow

Name recognition with Magnets from Mrs. Bremer's Class
Spell your Name with Stones from the Puzzles Connection
Scoop your Name from an Idea on Tuesday

Play Dough Name Practice Mama Papa Bubba
Snack Stones (to reserve their space) from The Brilliant Child
Name Matching Cards from Early Learning Ideas

Clothespin Names from the Teaching Zoo
Find the Letter and Swat It! from Hands on as we Grow
Name Splash from Preschool Inspirations