Sandpaper letters are typically used in the Montessori method to teach children letter-sound recognition, as well as to teach them how to form letters. Cut letters from pieces of fine-grade sandpaper, and lay them out on a flat surface. Use the letters to provide children with a multisensory approach to learning letters. Encourage children to trace the letters with their fingers and while tracing each one, state the sound it makes. For example, while tracing the letter "a," say the sound /a/. Encourage children to repeat the sound as they trace the letter. As children trace the letters and say the sounds they make, they will commit the phonetic sounds and the formation of the letters to their muscle, or motor, memories.
This activity promotes the development of motor skills and encourages children to make scientific investigations. Provide children with a bowl filled with water, an empty bowl, a funnel, a jug with a spout, eye droppers and other objects that can be used to transport water. Invite children to move the water from one bowl to the other, using the items they've been provided with. Transporting the water back and forth will develop fine motor skills, dexterity and hand-eye coordination. While children transfer the water, they'll learn which items transfer water quicker.
Provide children with a variety of materials that they can paint with. Set out different types and colors of paint; watercolors, tempera and finger paint, different sized paintbrushes, toothbrushes, leaves, cotton balls and any other material that you think can be used to create paintings. Encourage children to use the materials to paint any type of picture they would like. Invite children to share their paintings, discuss colors and materials that are used and engage in conversations as they're painting, if they'd like. Through this activity, children develop their vocabulary, express their creativity and gain an appreciation for the varied opinions of others.
Use manipulatives to provide children with an understanding of the pre-math skill of sorting. Set out objects that are different sizes, shapes and colors; toys, blocks or foam shapes, for example. Encourage children to sort the objects based on their color, size and shape. Talk about how sorting is beneficial for daily activities, including doing the laundry and recycling. In addition, this activity will help to develop complex cognitive skills, fine-motor skills and hand-eye coordination.