Teaching all 26 letters at once is overwhelming, but teaching children to write their own names is manageable. Preschoolers should already be able to recognize their own names, so writing them will be easier. Trace each child's name onto a worksheet, using dotted lines. Give each child a sheet and ask her to trace over the dotted lines to write her name several times. Once children have practiced writing their first names, give each child another worksheet with her last name and repeat the process.
A connect-the-dots activity teaches children how to write letters while also helping them learn numbers. Make a sheet for each letter. Form each letter out of a series of 10 dots. Starting at the top of each letter, number the dots. Once you pass out the worksheets, children must connect the dots. For instance, they must first find the dot labeled with a number one, then draw a line from number one to number two and so on. By the time they get to 10, children will have drawn a full letter.
Most preschoolers love getting messy, and children will feel less pressure about forming letters perfectly when they're writing in paint. Pour out some paint out on a table, then show children one letter of the alphabet. Ask children to write the letter in the paint. Once they've practiced the letter a few times, show children another letter to practice. Walk around while children are writing so you can provide help if they need it. Draw the letters in paint yourself, and then ask children to trace over the shapes with their own fingers.
This activity provides not only writing practice, but it also helps children learn the order of the alphabet. Divide a piece of paper into inch-wide squares. Write each letter of the alphabet in one square using a thin line. Give each child one copy of the sheet. Children must first trace each letter, then cut the squares apart. Once they have 26 squares in a pile, ask children to put them back into alphabetical order. Hang a poster of the alphabet for children to use as reference.