How to Help a Child With Letter Recognition & Fine Motor Skills

Preschool years are full of learning. Fine motor skills blossom, allowing a child to gain higher control over small body movements, especially in the hands and fingers, according to "The Developing Person." Preschoolers will begin to practice writing and drawing in a more controlled manner. In addition, children will begin to learn the alphabet and recognition of alphabet letters. Being patient and knowing how to help a child learn will improve the experience for both parent and child.

Things You'll Need

  • Flash cards
  • Preschool activity books
  • Pencils
  • Paper
  • Play dough
  • Computer
  • TV
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Instructions

  1. Letter Recognition

    • 1

      Purchase or make large letter cutouts and flashcards. You can hang the letters around a playroom or child's bedroom to keep them in vision. You will use the flashcards for learning activities.

    • 2

      Assign a specific letter to learn each day. Dedicate a certain day to a specific letter. For example, if today's letter is T, base games and activities around the letter T. Talk about turtles, tummies, tigers, toes, etc. Practice writing both uppercase and lowercase versions of the letter of the day.

      For letter recognition game suggestions, visit KidZone.

    • 3

      Review previously learned letters briefly each day. Even though it may be a T day, dedicate a few minutes each day to quickly reviewing previously learned letters. Reviewing letters will keep the knowledge readily available and allow the child to retain the information.

    • 4

      Show clips of "Sesame Street" to your toddler or preschooler. "Sesame Street" was originally started to help low-income children who could not afford preschool and has been proven to help children of all socioeconomic backgrounds learn. "Sesame Street" has a letter each episode; the letter is used as a theme for the particular show. Songs and skits are made to emphasize learning.

    Fine Motor Skills

    • 5

      Allow your child to paint and color often. As your child's fine motor skills increase, so will his ability to draw in a straight line and color within the lines. The old saying "Practice makes perfect" has some legitimacy behind it, so allow the child to practice his fine motor skills often.

    • 6

      Encourage your child to practice dot-to-dot and cutting activities to expand the development of the small body movements. According to Shirley's Preschool Activities, manipulation of small balls of play dough can also offer valuable practice with the new and developing fine motor skills.

    • 7

      Have your child practice his writing skills by using age-appropriate workbooks and worksheets. Using worksheets specifically designed to teach preschoolers will give the child an early start to his education. TLS Books encourages early childhood education and offers printable preschool worksheets at no charge.

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