Create a Wooden Alphabet Set

Preschoolers need lots of hands-on practice with the alphabet. This activity allows your preschooler to create her own alphabet manipulatives and use them to play different games. She'll build her letter skills and prepare for what's to come when she's in kindergarten.

What You Need:

• Wooden letters (these can be found in crafts stores - Jo-Ann’s Fabric & Craft Store and Michael's Craft Store both carry bags of small wooden letters as well as big wooden letters to be purchased individually)
• Paint brushes
• Acrylic paints in a variety of colors
• Newspaper
• Paper plates or bowls
• Small bucket (such as a sand pail)
• Paint shirt

Preparation:

1. Cover your painting area with newspaper. Make sure your child wears a paint shirt - one that she doesn't mind getting a little messy!
2. Squirt paint onto the plate or into a bowl.
3. Have your child choose a letter, and say its name and the sound(s) it makes. Help your child paint the letter in any color she likes. Set it aside to dry.
4. Continue with all 26 letters of the alphabet. You can use a variety of colors to be creative. You can add polka-dots or even stripes after the first coat is dry. Your child can decorate them however she likes! She can even decorate all of the letters used to spell her name in a special way so that they identifiable from the rest of the alphabet. This is a great first step in building those spelling skills.
5. Show her how to use a different brush for each color or how to clean the brush before dipping into another color.
6. Once your set is complete, get ready to play!

Games to Play: