Write the words of art supplies, such as pencils, crayons, scissors and paper, and words denoting equipment, such as tables, chairs and trash cans onto unruled index cards with colored markers. Permanent markers are less prone to sun fading. Scholastic website maintains that to increase a preschooler's literacy, surround the student with written words.
Use a black marker to outline the first letter of every word on each card. This bold outline emphasizes the first letter and sound of each word for the preschooler. When working in the art center, read the card for emphasis, such as: "Please put the crayons in the can." Point to the first letter of the word on the card and say, "C is for crayons." Between the ages of birth and five years old, the International Reading Association says that phonological awareness and print and alphabet knowledge are keys to literacy development.
Pull the backing from clear adhesive paper. Lay the cards onto the adhesive side of the paper. Fold the adhesive paper over the card, encasing the card. Cut around the card, leaving about ¼-inch of clear adhesive paper framing the card. Preschoolers like to touch everything. Touch is a sensory learning process. By covering the cards in clear paper, the cards can be wiped clean with a damp sponge.
Remove the paper or plastic backing from one side of a double-sided adhesive mounting square. Position the mounting square on the center back, or at each end on the back, and press firmly. Cards that must label something such as a can, or other non-flat surface, are best adhered by placing a mounting square at each end of the card and in the center. Use a centrally-applied mounting square for cards to be applied to flat surfaces, such as walls.
Remove the backing from the remaining adhesive side of the mounting square. Firmly press the card onto the corresponding item, such as the crayon can, easel or paint shelf.