Name Recognition

In my experience one of the best ways to get kids interested in letters is to work on name recognition.  Once they figure out that a certain set of lines has meaning (their name), then it opens the idea that a certain letters make certain sounds.  That of course begins the exploration of phonics and reading.

To get lots of exposure in, the kids have their names many places-under their coat hook, on their tag for circle time and I just made one with raised letters for a name rubbing project.  This is just half a page of card stock with colored glue used to write the name.  Once dry, the glue provides enough of a raised surface to do rubbings or just to trace with your finger.

I made the colored glue by squirting gel food color into a half full bottle of regular school glue (I used by Elmers and Staples brand and they worked equally well.).  Shake like crazy and then give it to someone else to shake while your arm recouperates.  Once it is mixed together you are ready to go.  I made these cards Monday morning and they weren't completely dry by Monday evening, but this morning they were fine.  So, you need to plan a little ahead, but the activity was great fun (and I learned a lot about where the kids were in their pencil grip-plan to see quite a few fine motor activities in the future).

Like I said, I used card stock because I had a few pieces left from something or other.  Index cards would work or even a thin piece of cardboard.  You could also accomplish the same thing by glue and string or maybe even floral wire. 

Here they are at work.